My Heroes

I had a lot of time to think this morning while I was making my 2 1/2-hour commute into work through the slush and snow. It was hard to leave my little son this morning because he was so happy and warm. I left him at my sister's home under the Christmas tree ogling the lights. I know that during my trip to work, he was happy and fed, snuggled and bundled.

I was also thinking about my heroes in my life and how every one of them has contributed to my happiness and success to this point in my life.

#1) my dear mother who raised her family alone as a single mom. I can now really appreciate what that entails, but the difference is she raised 8, I only have 1. I miss her more and more the longer time goes on - especially during Christmas, which was her favorite time of year. I remember Christmas 2 years before she died when she volunteered us to feed at the Alzheimer's unit on Christmas morning. She was an advocate for "the least of these..." and cared so much about the lonely, abandoned, and sad.

#2) Charlee - I work with nurses and business people all day long, but it wasn't until I didn't work with Charlee any longer that I realized what a good nurse, manager, and person she truly is. She is my dearest friend in the world and as close to family as anyone else. I remembered yesterday why I call her Hurricane Charlee because she was on a mission that included getting patients better care and there was nothing in the world that could have stopped her 5'1" person. She, like my mother, is an advocate for "the least of these..."

#3) Kari - My sister who loves my son enough to take him any day, any time, rain, snow, or shine. He loves her back. I know that any of my sisters, nieces, sisters-in-law would do the same, but Kari is wonderful with my son and I never worry that he is getting love and attention.

#4) My Ford Escape - I know, I know, unlikely choice. But today, with 6 inches on the roads and more coming down, I didn't worry even a little because my car is AWESOME in the snow. Thanks to a man named Alfredo who really listened to me when I went to buy a car. He picked the right car for me and I have never regretted it.

#5) Chris - My brother who enjoys quiet and solitude, but took in me, my newborn baby, and the dog without a complaint and without frustration (at least that shows) because we were in a bad situation. Sometimes Chris is misunderstood as isolative and a hermit. But I saw a real man last night invite his ex-wife to dinner because it was cold and snowy, and she made the trek in the snow to deliver his mail... and was so lonely. I saw him open the door for her to the restaurant and start the healing process between them... and restarted a friendship that had been lost.

#6) My Savior - I love this time of year and more this year because of my new son. What a wonderful way to celebrate such a perfect, selfless life than in celebration of love for our fellow man! What more to say than my ultimate hero who I can never repay.

I love all my friends and family - those who I have known who have made such a difference in my life. I am truly blessed this holiday season...

Blizzard or not.

Festival

I have never really cared about going to the festival of trees... and less since they moved it to Sandy. But how could I pass up the chance to benefit Primary Children's hospital? I owe them the life of my child.

This beautiful Child.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Orange, rust, and lime green. So pretty...

Guitar Hero. ROCK ON!

Peacock tree

Harry Potter Tree... My personal favorite of the little trees

Disney ornaments. So darling

Romeo and Juliet harlequin tree. Great, elaborate combination.

I hope that my little tiny contribution helps children in need. Maybe someday it will help my little man again.

Noodle overdose

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Aunt Kari who invited us to a kickin' afternoon out. See, she put her name in a drawing for a tasting at Noodles and Company. AND WON. What she didn't know is that involved a feast. She invited her kids and Aiden and I for the luncheon.

The manager brought out 14 full-sized dishes (Basically everything they had on the menu) and explained all that goes into it, the reason behind each dish and specially prepared each one. A 14-course meal full of the best Asian and Mediterranean noodles ever. I already love the Pad Thai, but the spicy Indonesian Peanut Saute was the most amazingly wonderful dish... but so hot. We ate everything. The Pesto Chicken, the Pasta Fresca, the Japanese Pan Noodles... We even ate the Roast Beast... oh, wait... wrong story.

Below are the pictures of our monstrous feast. Aiden was a light-weight and crashed after his appetizer of soy formula. Leaving Mom with two hands: one for the fork and one for the Diet Coke. No more calories allowed for the rest of the day!!

Jessica was a totally Pansie. She didn't want to try anything. Big loss... more for the rest of us.

The Doc

***WARNING: for those who don't like discussing certain areas of the body, this post may not be for you. :) *** Kidding...

So, we went to see the pediatric urologist today and we have news as to when and what the surgery will be. We are planning on a very extensive urological surgery in February of next year. Dr. Cartwright is amazingly good with babies and was great to explain everything. I even got an anatomically-correct drawing of the... boy parts... and where stitches will be and the swelling... Me thinks he is a little too good at drawing this...

As you all know, when Aiden was born, he was born with deformed genitalia. Luckily he can still urinate okay, so that is good. But otherwise things are not in good shape.

So this is what may/will happen... The doctor will do a circumcision and use the leftover skin to fix the main "boy part" (I am really trying to be sensitive here to all my readers...). They will have to lower and fix the scrotum and basically there will be over 100 stitches and Aiden will get a catheter for 6 weeks while the whole thing heals. AND GET THIS... There may not be enough "skin" to fix all they need to fix, so they will have to do a skin graft with the skin from the inside of his cheek. They will try to do it all in one surgery, but if it is too much or he doesn't handle the anesthesia well, it will take at least 2 surgeries. Yikes!!!

The next question, naturally, is how long will the hospital recovery take... Dr. Cartwright said it was outpatient surgery!! What?! Yeah. The surgery itself will take between 5 and 6 hours then he can come home. I have so many great amazing nurse friends who have already offered to help.

But the best part of the appointment was sitting in the waiting room. There was a chair with funky bright designs all over the back. I sat Aiden so he could touch the fabric and he proceeded to spit, drool, scream, and laugh at it. There were three other mothers in the waiting room and we were all laughing hard at my little baby.

We will keep everyone up to date on when the surgery will be exactly. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

God bless - and Merry Christmas.

What a difference

Today we go to the doctor to see when Aiden can have his surgery. I am a little apprehensive, but it is time.

What a difference a few months make!! Aiden is now grabbing my face and kissing... "kissy face" we call it. He is also grabbing at his feet. At night when we cuddle, he hums along with whatever song I am singing to him. And when I stop, he hums louder to cue me to start again.

He is such a sweet boy. I know every mom says that, but I really mean it. He loves to cuddle and read books and just be where the action is.

My little man is so big. I have attached two photos... one of the day he came home from the hospital and one taken last night.

So new.

So big.

Must go...

Aiden watching bright colors on TV... Junkie!!


My morning radio station that I listen to has a feature called "must go." It is a weekly list of things that people do or have that must go. When I am tired, I get impatient so I thought I would vent here in a safe place, so here is my list.

1. Roy Orbison and any song he sang
2. Control top pantyhose
3. Static cling
4. Cinnamon toothpaste
5. The phrase "I should have went..." It is "I should have gone..."!!! Quit saying it incorrectly.
6. Twilight or any vampire book/movie/song/story/painting/dream. Hate them all. Twilight should be banned! Bad, stupid literature. (and yes, I have read all four hoping they would get better...)
7. Swine flu
8. Dieting
9. "Jingle Bell rock" or "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree"
10. Wet dog smell
11. Jealousy at the people who get to use the HOV lane
12. Parsley
13. Betty Davis and her cursed eyes
14. Joan Crawford and the aforementioned eyes
15. Cold hot chocolate at restaurants
16. Horror movies
17. Creditreport.com commercials
18. Sinus infections
19. Poverty
20. War

Okay. Tis the season for happiness and joy - all of which I am experiencing in spades this year, so here is my list of things that I love (in no particular order):

1. Knee high pantyhose
2. Children's books
3. Gingerbread herb tea
4. Wireless internet
5. My Ford Escape
6. Battery powered swing for Aiden
7. Crockpot cooking
8. Please, thank you, and excuse me
9. Bubble baths
10. Anything by John Rutter
11. History Channel
12. Sourdough Bread
13. Diet Pepsi with Wild Cherry
14. Memories of my mother
15. White Christmases
16. Veterans
17. Homemade applesauce
18. Grapefruit lotion
19. Nasal spray
20. AIDEN, AIDEN, AIDEN!!!

Holy Night

What a wonderful day! Tonight, we went to Temple Square to see lights. It was busy, but beautiful. Cold, but marvelous. Aiden was in awe looking at the lights. The temple was beautiful. I was so excited because my son really enjoyed it and we got a really great parking spot.

I love watching my son enjoy these things for the first time. What a beautiful time of year. I love Christmas.

While I was there, I met someone I had known a while ago. Her mother was a woman I took care of while I was director at an Alzheimer's house. Her mother was 39 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and she had three very small children and was recently divorced. Well, fast forward 17 years... I took care of her and she was very severe at age 56. She didn't speak at all, but giggled when she was not crying. I learned from her daughter today that she passed away in May. What a wonderful, bittersweet blessing. How sad... how happy... just bittersweet. I loved her and her family so much.

It makes me realize that I have touched lives in my life.