Future

Future Vet maybe??  Glad Kenai is such a good patient!

Santa Came to Town

Sweet Carter slept in on Christmas for us, which was such a great gift.  At 8:30, I heard his door bust open, and his little feet patter down the hall.  He did not touch any presents, but he wanted to make sure Santa came. He then came running into our room to tell us to hurry and get out of bed because there were a lot of presents out there!

He is good at opening all the gifts, and this year he even allowed Tim and me to open our own presents.  We sure were spoiled by all the amazing things our family sent us.  I love seeing the excitement on Carter's face as he opens each present.  He actually played with each present before moving on to the next, so opening lasted for a few hours.    

We ate dinner at the neighbors on Christmas Eve and on Christmas.  It was nice to not have to be alone on Christmas, but we still really missed our families.  Michigan is proving to be pretty lonely.  Hopefully where ever we move next year will provide us with some visitors!

Hope you all had an amazing Christmas filled with many blessings and loved ones!!!

Swim Nemo, Swim!

(I know, you are jealous of my fireplace!)

Thanks Bampa and Meme!!!

A little Alaska love from Auntie Heather

Santa forgot to get Mrs. Clause' approval on this one...

More toys for Timmy!

Loving on this frog from Auntie Nanna!

  

3 Years

Dear Carter,

      Today you turned 3 years old!!!  What, 3 already?  Where has time gone?  You have made these past 3 years the best of my life.  You are an amazing person and are such a joy to your parents.  You have such a personality.  There is never a day that goes by that you don't make me laugh with the witty things that you say.  You learn new things all the time, and are constantly amazing me with what you know.  

     Right now in life you are becoming potty trained again (for the second or third time...), you can  count up to 30 by yourself and well beyond with a little assistance, you love any thing that has to do with a car, you check outside every morning to see if it has snowed so you can go out to shovel, you greet your Daddy when he comes home from work with "Oh I am so glad you are home!", you love to eat and your favorite food is broccoli.

     I love you sweet boy.  You continue to teach me new things about myself everyday.  You have an amazingly sweet soul and the best kisses.  Happy Birthday Carter Joseph, you are such a big boy now!!!

                                                                   Love, Mommy

Carter decided to wake up nice and early this morning at 6 and asked if we could have cake then.  It was funny, but the answer was no.  Tim worked for much of the day today, so Carter and I headed out to the movie theater to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Carter loved the movie, and kept saying "Oh this is so cool".         After the movie, we met Tim at McDonald's for lunch and a little playing.  After that we came home to open the presents and once again Carter was spoiled with tons of really neat presents.  Thank you to everyone for the love you show our little man.  

I kind of slacked on the cake this year.  Carter has been talking about having a lawnmower cake for about 6 months now.  I was gearing myself to produce a sweet fondant lawnmower, and then I realized that Carter doesn't even like cake right now.  So I decided to go for the Raspberry Sherbet roll.  Added a little green food coloring, some tractors (since Carter said a tractor would work if I could not find a lawnmower), and called it good.  Carter loved looking at it, loved licking off the tractors, and just let the cake sit on his plate.  So, he did not eat this one either.  I on the other hand did!

Now both the boys are curled up on the floor playing with Legos on Grandpa's sweet Lego board.  This has been going on for a few hours now, and I don't see it ending any time soon. 

      

  

Naughty

Carter and I saw Santa at the mall the other day.  As soon as Santa spotted us, Carter hid behind my legs.  When I asked him why he was hiding from Santa his response was: "Because Santa knows if I have been naughty!"

Carter climbed into bed this morning with me.  It usually takes a while for him to get me out of the nice warm bed, so he tried new approach today.

"You have pretty green eyes Mom.  You are skinny Mom.  Now get out of bed, I'm hungry."  And to think I almost fell for his sweet comments.

Chocolate is in the Air

Tim had an interview in Hershey, PA, so Carter and I decided to tag along.  I was super excited to see this town because of all the wonderful stories I had heard.  And, it did not disappoint.  Yes, the street lights are shaped like Hershey kisses, and the air does smell like chocolate.  (It didn't happen when we were there, but when they are making Reese's, the air smells like chocolate and peanut butter.  Are you kidding me???)  Carter and I had tons to do during his two day interview.  The town itself is pretty small, and easy to get around.  And, it is super safe.  The amusement park was closed for the season, but we did get to check out Hershey world one day.  Carter's favorite part was the free ride that we went on over and over again.  We also enjoyed hitting up the outlet mall that is right in town.

So this town is pretty amazing.  And, we would not mind having to spend the next 3-4 years there.  (There is a Costco 15 minutes away, so I will be able to survive!)  Tim felt the interview went really well, so we will keep you updated!! 

 Love it!!

This was his smile the whole ride, every time!

Santa's house, 100 square feet made out of Chocolate! 

Sweets everywhere!!!!

      

Oh Christmas Tree...

Tim was at work when we decorated the Christmas tree this year.  I am usually pretty strict about what the tree looks like, but I decided to let that go this year.  It is only a matter of time till Carter will be bringing home noodle things he will want to hang on the tree.  So, I handed Carter the ornaments, and let he put on every one.  He just kept saying "Daddy is going to be so proud of me.  This is so beautiful".  You did good my little man, but I am afraid the top of 2/3 of the tree is a little lonely.  

Ok, so the tree got a little makeover during nap time.  But, he still loves it.  

Giving Thanks

Team Vacation was on the road again this last week!  It was so wonderful to get out of Michigan for awhile, and to see old friends.
It started out by visiting Rick in Indianapolis so Tim could meet some of the doctors in the anesthesia program there.  While Tim and Rick were at work for the day, Carter and I took on the town.  Ok, we just headed out to the mall, but that was enough for us.  After living in such a small town, it is easy to become overwhelmed!  After the boys got home from work, we headed down to Louisville where Shari lives.  The drive took us an extra hour due to the holiday traffic, so thank goodness for portable DVD players!  Thanksgiving day was filled with good food, good friends, and more good food.  Friday was a beautiful day where we got to play outside at a beautiful park, and enjoy some big town shopping.  Saturday was rock climbing day and fulfilling Carter's need for pizza.  It was so nice to spend Thanksgiving with old friends and catching up with what is going on in their lives.  Thanks for the great hospitality Rick and Shari, and for letting Carter wear you out!
We left on Sunday for our long drive northeast.  Sunday night was spent in Erie, PA.  The next morning we headed out early and ended up in Syracuse, New York in the afternoon.  After exploring the town a bit, we ended up at the best eating place in Syracuse.  Dinosaur BBQ is a must if you are ever in the area.  We ate more than we should have, but it was amazing!  That night was spent hanging out in the pool while Tim prepared for his interview the next morning.
Tim left early for his interview, while Carter  and I took it nice and easy.  We ended up going to the zoo, which was a ton of fun for Carter.  After that, we were able to find an incredibly huge mall.  To drive around it was a mile circle.  Crazy.  Tim finished up in the early afternoon with his stuff, so we headed out for Niagara Falls.  We wanted to stop at the American side of the falls before we crossed the boarder, but it was so foggy when we got there, that you would not have been able to see anything.  Niagara Falls Canada is a cute town, but super expensive.  The only reason we were able to afford a hotel there was because it is the off season.  So, we scored a super fancy hotel for a reasonable price.  Finding a place to eat there was horrible.  We ended up eating at TGI Fridays, and payed $17 for a burger!  Give me a break!!
The next morning was spent enjoying the sights of the Falls.  If you have never been, go!  It is so beautiful and amazing!  A must see for anyone!!!  It was a little cold, and raining, but still amazing!
The drive home was bit depressing because we knew our vacation was over.  It was so much fun to spend quality time together as a family.  And, to get out of Michigan!!!      

Thoughtful

"Mommy, I don't like this house.  I want to go back to Bampa's house in Utah."

Gosh little man, I could not have said it better myself!

Movie Time

Free movie Saturday at the theater, and Carter loved it.  He got spoiled with the popcorn, but when you don't have to buy a ticket to get into the movie, I guess it is ok.  

Treatin'

Elmo is in the house again!!!  What a great costume, it fit him for 2 years!  Carter LOVED being Elmo.  All the kids cry out "Look, Elmo".  Even the big kids.  This year I started him out at the mall, and then we came home and started trick or treating from our house.  We had to walk pretty far to find some other kids, but Carter was really into it.  The first house we went to, he walked in the door, sat down on the couch, and started  taking off his shoes!  It was quite the site!!  At the end of the night, I had to carry Carter home because he was getting so tired.

When we got home, we went through his candy.  When I saw some Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, I told Carter those were Daddy's favorite.  He didn't really seem to pay attention to this.  However, today I am looking in his bucket and I realize he has yet to touch the Reeses.  He looked at me and said "Don't eat those Mommy, those are Daddy's favorite, and I am saving them for him".  Gosh, melt my heart.  What a sweet boy.  So, come home Daddy, you have some Reeses waiting for you!!! :)   

Super C

Super Carter to the Rescue!!!!!

Love  you my little super hero!

Fall Camping

Two weekends ago summer came back for a few days.  We decided to take advantage of it by going camping on Lake Michigan.  We camped around Traverse City and it was so much fun!  The beaches were wonderful, and the water was a beautiful color.
On our second day, we headed out to The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore.  When we moved to Michigan, everybody would tell us this was a must place to go.  It was even voted Prettiest Place in America by Good Morning America.  Yeah, it was pretty, but prettiest??  I guess growing up in Alaska, I am super biased.  But, really, this place has nothing on Alaska.  There was a lot of sand, and a big lake.  The water was a great color, but where were the mountains?   They have a big sand dune that everybody climbs.  It was a big climb for little Carter, but he ran up the whole way.  I assumed at the top there was going to be an amazing view of Lake Michigan.  Wrong, just more sand.  But, Carter did love it, and it proved to us that there is no wearing out this little man if that hill could not take him down.   Either way, it was so nice to get out of Eastern Michigan.  And the fall colors were out in all their glory.

Goodbye

Saying Goodbye to the CPAP!!!  We hope to never see you again! 

I am so proud of how you handled wearing this thing for over a year Carter.  It is amazing how easy going you were about it, and how you would keep it on at night.  You rock my little man!!!!

Results are In

All the test results are in for little Carter.  I have been having people calling wanting to know all the findings, so here it is for you all.  Do you like the bad news or the good news first?  I prefer the bad stuff first, so here we go:

CT (head)

- Right side of jaw smaller than left (No new news here, we knew that)

- Small chin (didn't need a fancy test for that)

- Open airway

- Adenoids are HUGE (have to have them removed)

CT (Chest with Contrast):  add on test after findings from scope

- Accessory bronchi going to right lung

- Have to make appointment with General Surgeon to discuss what this will mean for Carter

- My interpretation: Carter is just more special than we ever thought 

MRI

- Chiari 1 Malformation

- Flow of spinal fluid is being interrupted

- Have to make appointment with Neurosurgery to discuss what this will mean

- If you don't know what this is, Google will do wonders for you

Echo

- Perfect :)

- See, I told you there was good news!

Sleep Study 

- Apnea: 0.8 (That would be like nothing!)

- Lowest oxygen dropped was 83% for just a second

- Snoring noted (which could clear up once adenoids are removed)

- No longer needs to wear CPAP

- Best news was have had in a long time!

So there you have it.  When we scheduled Carter for all these studies, I was thinking we were just going to get information on how to improve his breathing at night.  I had this thought in the back of my head that we could find out something else unwanted, but that was all it was, just a thought.  So now that we have the information, we get to try and figure it all out.  

I love you dear Carter.  We will figure all this out, and hopefully it will just be a memory soon enough.  You are tougher than any person I know, and I know you will handle this like the champ you are.   

Testing

Carter had a busy week in Detroit.  Here is the schedule that he endured like it was no thing: 

Monday: Echocardiogram, 5 hour break in the hospital, Sleep Study

Tuesday: Direct Laryngo Bronchoscopy, CT Head, CT Chest, MRI Head

And, he was AMAZING through out the whole thing!  Anesthesia was amazing at the hospital, and made me realize that I only want Carter to be put under at a children's hospital from here on out.  I was so proud watching Carter walk into the OR in his little outfit, with about 15 people trailing behind him.  He was really brave, and I could not have asked for a better kid.  And, Carter slept like a champ during the sleep study.  Plus, he let me curl up next to him the whole night so I didn't have to try and sleep in the horrid recliner they had for me!  I am so blessed to have this little man in my life.  Hopefully the results will be in soon, and we can get some answers on how to help Carter out!

Brave Boy Again!

Carter and I had to head into Flint (AKA Most Dangerous City in America) at 4:45 this morning to the hospital.  He had to have dental work done under anesthesia.  This is the first time that Carter had a procedure done at a non-children's hospital and it made me nervous!  He had to have caps put on and cavities filled.  Due to his small airway, they could not do it in the office.  So, it was off to the hospital.  Any time Carter has to have general anesthesia, it is a big deal.  When I got there, they sent in a CRNA to do the case.  WRONG!  I had to explain to her very nicely that Carter was very hard to intubate, and only an anesthesiologist confident working with children and small airways would be working on my son.  So the sent in the angry anesthesiologist.  Really, have you ever met a mean anesthesiologist?  Apparently they have some in Michigan.  

When it came time to wheel Carter back to the OR, they informed me that the anesthesiologist said I could no longer come back there with him.  Oh, they were messing with the wrong Mommy here!  They said because of his airway, they were not going to be able to gas him before they placed the IV.  So, they did not want me back there because they thought I could not handle watching my son get an IV.  Yeah, they might be right, I HATE watching my son get an IV, but there was no way I was going to make him go through that by himself.  After arguing back and forth for a few minutes, they finally gave into me.  And I will be darned if that anesthesiologist had to poke my baby TWICE!!!  Gosh, it was hard watching Carter go through that, but I saved my tears for when I got out of the room.  There was no way I was going to let that mean Doctor think I was a wimp.  

As far as surgery went, Carter did great.  He has a couple of caps and some fillings, and freshly cleaned teeth now.  Once again Carter you were AMAZING!  I was so proud of you for your bravery and how strong you were.  I love you sweet angel!  And, thank you for your amazing snuggles after surgery!  I know it was the drugs making you curl up on my lap for so long, but I still loved it!       

He LOVED the socks!

Deep breath Riley.

All Done!!!

Let's get out of here Mom!

Jello and Movies all day long!

The Time has Come

Before Carter was born, Tim and I used to talk about what we looked forward to when this little man joined our family.  I would always talk about kissing his little toes and snuggling.  Tim said he looked forward to the day that Carter was big enough to play football with him in the backyard.  Well, the time has come!  We were sitting at the dinner table last night, when Carter looked at Tim and said "I want to play football with you Daddy."  Totally out of the blue, and oh you could see Tim's heart swell!  I think Tim was picturing more of teaching him plays and the rules of the game, but that will probably have to wait a few years.  Right now it is more of a "Chase me Daddy".  Either way, both the boys had a great time and came back inside sweaty, just like the stinky boys they are.  

     

We Ran Away

We ran away.  It was just for a day, but so worth it!  The drive to get to the other side of the state was long, but so nice once we got to play on the beach and enjoy Lake Michigan.  Plus, it was Tim's only weekend off this month, so we had to take advantage of it.  The wind was blowing, so the water was rough, reminding me of the ocean.  Carter can not get enough of the sand, and gets so excited to get out his shovels and buckets.