Coeur d'Alene

Here are some pictures from our last few days in Coeur d'Alene.

Come Back

Yesterday we stopped in Missoula, MT for lunch. As I was getting Carter back into the car, his birthday balloon from Jason and Steffany decided to make a run for it. It escaped into the big blue sky, never to be seen again. I was sad because it had lasted over a week, made it from Bozeman to Coeur d'Alene, and was supposed to make it back to Utah. Oh well, I guess it was time to say goodbye! Happy Birthday Buckaroo!

Last day of '09

I can not believe how fast 2009 has gone. When Tim started medical school, 2010 seemed so far away. And now, it is just a few short hours till we ring in the new year. 2010 will be Tim's last full year of Medical school, and it is going to feel oh so good!!! This year has been a hard one for our small family, yet full of so many other joys. Carter has proved to us just how amazing and strong he is. We are so proud of him! Some highlights of this past year:

~ Tim passing his first set of board exams.

~ Not selling our house in Kirksville!

~ Moving to Utah.

~ Mom and Dad coming to stay for 2 months.

~ Carter had the Mandibular Distraction.

~ Dad doing an amazing job fixing up this house!

~ Having lots of the Kay's over for Thanksgiving.

~ Carter getting his Palate repaired.

~ Carter celebrating his first birthday (At Chico none the less)!!

I have a feeling 2010 will bring lots of great blessing to our family. Have a wonderful night ringing in the new year!!!

Christmas '09

Carter had a wonderful 2nd Christmas. Santa was good to us all. Carter is getting into the groove of opening presents. He got spoiled, and so did I. Santa brought me a new lens for my camera, so I am going to have lots of fun seeing what I can do with that bad boy!! Thanks Santa!! Merry Christmas to all, hope it was a great day!!!

Cake

I think I forgot to showcase the cake that Uncle Jason made for Carter for the big day, so I want you all to see it. It is obvious that lots of love when into it, and it was adorable! Plus, I think it is super cute that it had to be labeled! Thanks!!

Here is the other cake that we had made for Carter. There was not nearly as much love put into it, but cute it was! Both cakes were wonderful, and Carter loved them all!!!

Happy Birthday

Oh baby Carter, you had a wonderful day! You are so cute when we let you have your own cake. Such a happy baby when we let you go for it! I can not believe how much you can eat!! It amazes me. We had a great party for you here in Coeur d'Alene, and your friend Isaiah came over. You are such a loved baby and I hope you know that. Happy Birthday my sweet little one!!

Carter is ONE!!

Today my baby turns ONE! I can not believe how wonderful Carter has made my life and how much life has changed this past year. I could never have imagined it would be possible to love this much and this deeply. Carter is truly the strongest and bravest little soul I have ever met. I really don't think I can put into words what you mean to me Carter, so maybe a list will help:

~ I love the way you smile when I walk into your room in the morning.

~ I love how you go around the house all day saying your own name.

~ I love those deep blue eyes of yours.

~ I loved how you would always smile at Mom and Dad the second day after surgery. Truly the best feeling.

~ I loved how you came into this world 3 weeks early so your Daddy could help out more with you.

~ I love how you give lots of kisses.

~ I truly admire you for how hard you had to work early in life just to eat and breathe. You are a trooper.

~ I love how you say "Mmmmmm" when you are eating Chocolate.

~ I loved how much you liked to snuggle when you were first born.

Really Carter, I love everything about you. You are the most laid back kid I have ever met. You had so many struggles this past year, and yet you still would smile at me each and every day. You will never know how much you have changed me and made me a better person. You have given me so much my little man. I love you Carter with all my heart. Happy 1st Birthday sweet angel!!! Love, Mommy

Montana

We headed for Bozeman on Saturday morning to spend the weekend with Jason and Steffany. It was really sweet because they made a cake for Carter so we could start the big Birthday Festivities with them.

It took Carter a little bit of time to get into the cake, but once he was in, it was all over. (Really, can you blame him? The cake was made out of Beets...)

On Sunday we headed out to Chico for Carter's first Hot Spirngs experience. In true Carter fashion, he just lounged in the water and throughly enjoyed himself. He loved all the attention and gifts from Jason and Steffany. We were sad to leave Bozeman and Jason and Steffany. Thanks for the great time you guys! We love you!!!

Wow

Tim brought this home today and was so proud of himself. Have you ever seen such a big Apple Fritter????

First Haircut

My baby had his first Haircut today. I can not believe how big he is getting! Next week my baby will be ONE!!!!! He did so well during the cut. He cried at first, but after the bubbles came out he got excited, and then when the movie started he was all set for a long sitting.

Before

During

After

Precious huh?

Just When

TUBBY

Just when things were looking so good for Carter, our world came crashing down on us. Last night I noticed a hole in his palate. We knew this was a possibility after surgery, but really, can we not get a break with this little guy? He seems to always fall on the crappy side of the statistics. Tonight he had dinner coming out of his nose. I lost it. He has been through so much, it is just not fair. So, as of now we wait and hope that it will close up on it's own by our Dr's appointment the first week of January. If it does not close up on it's own, then it is back to surgery. Another time giving my son away to anesthesia, another hospital stay, another horrible recovery with my little man in pain... So if you need anything to wish for this Holiday Season, can I ask that you wish for Carter to heal that hole himself?

So I realize I am about to get in trouble here for not updating you all in a few days. We have been busy getting ready for Christmas and taking care of Carter. He is doing so well for what he has gone through. Here's a quick run down of everything:

~ We have not used the Haberman Bottle since Friday, so I am calling us officially switched to the Sippy Cup!!!! What a stud.

~ Today is his last day of antibiotic, for the first time since October 6th!!

~ We are down to just taking Lortab twice a day.

~ We have not had any food come out of the nose since December 2nd!

~ I have not taken any pictures of Tubby all decorated yet, sorry!

Oh Christmas Tree

On Saturday we went out the a local tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree. It was a perfect day for it, with snow flakes in the air to make it feel like Christmas. Carter held up well, and seemed to enjoy being out of the house for a bit. The tree is a bit bushy, but it is cute. We named him Tubby! It will work perfect for Carter's SECOND Christmas!

Sippy

Carter ate Grandpa's sweet potatoes like crazy tonight for dinner. (Thanks Grandpa, you are going to have to come back when they run out.) I thought I would fill up his sippy cup with juice to go along with the potatoes and see what he would do. Now, let me tell you how hard we have worked on getting him to drink for a sippy cup. It has been going on for months, and all Carter would do was push it away. Well, tonight was a different story. He was actually crying in his high chair wanting more from the cup when you took it away! Amazing!! He drank a whole 2 ounces of juice from it, and later another 1.5 ounces of milk from it. What an improvement. Lets hope things keep looking up!

Day 3

It is the 3rd day after surgery, and we all know that means cranky, cranky little man. However, Carter is doing great. He slept well last night, only waking up about 3-4 times. Gave him his pain meds and he was back down for the night. He was hurting when he got up, but was soon consoled with a little milk. So far today he has drunk 8 ounces, which is great for this stage. I can already tell that he has suction, you don't even have to squeeze the bottle for him any more! He is down for his second nap of the day. Loving to sleep on his belly is causing quite the problem with those arm restraints on. Poor guy! He has learned however that he is still able to crawl and climb up on things with them on, just takes a little more work! And, he is really good at whacking balls on the floor around. Anyways, we are so glad to be home and to have our own beds to rest in. Carter is still such a trooper, and will be back to his normal self in no time!!

For Mom and Dad: Kenai is super sad. She has been dragging herself around here all day. She wants Mema and Grandpa to come back!!

Home

We got home around 7:00 tonight. Carter is doing well and trying to sleep right now. To say we are exhausted is an understatement. Let hope this is the last surgery Carter has to go through for a very, very long time! He is the bravest little man I know. The house sure is lonely and empty feeling with Mom and Dad gone. We miss them like crazy, and I am sure tomorrow by myself will only solidify that feeling. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes for Carter, we all feel loved. Goodnight!!

PS: Having an 11 month old in restraints constantly sucks. Really sucks!

PPS: We had 99 visits to the blog yesterday. Fun fact I guess, but really people could we not have gotten just one more???

Waiting on the paperwork to go home!!! :)

Still waiting to see if we get to go home today. Carter is doing well, ready to get out of this place. He has eaten 6 ounces of milk today, so we will see if that is good enough.

I would hate for you all to wake up and not have new pictures of my little man, so here you go. Last night was rough for Mommy, but Carter tried to sleep really well. His pain seem to not be too bad this morning, and he actually gave me kisses when I got him out of bed. I snuggled in his neck for the first time in 2 months! It was amazing. We just have to get him eating now. They cut the stitch out of his tongue this morning, so that should help with wanting to eat. Did you know we can start him on a regular bottle at any time now??? Yeah, no more 25 dollar nipples!!! Anyways, we are still hoping to go home today, but it wont be till probably later. I will keep you updated!!!

There's my man just now. We are so proud of him, he is a strong little boy!!!

Carter is out of surgery and we are up on the floor. Just working on keeping him breathing well and controlling his pain. It might be a long night.

Repair

Carter is in surgery right now. He did wonderful again going back with the anesthesiologist. Right before the surgery, I asked Dr. Muntz to clean out his ears for me. It was a good idea, because when he did it, a lot of fluid came out of both ears. So, they are also going to put in tubes along with taking out the distraction pins, and repairing the palate. He is our little trooper, and we are super proud of him!!!