Mt. Wolverine Chute with Greg, Steve and Ben

It was a little intimidating at the top

Steve:

Ben:

Greg:

Steve:

Me:

Mace's Surgery

Mace had his tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes placed in his ears on December 13th. We woke up early to be at the hospital by 7:45. Once we were there, it felt like we had to wait forever. They had toys in each room. so the wait wasn't too bad for Mace. 

After we were called back, we helped Mace change into a hospital gown and pants. He looked really cute in them. Mace enjoyed playing with a really cool magnet board in the exam room. They weighed him and took his vitals. 

After they were done explaining things to us, they sent us to another waiting room. Mace took some Versed to help him relax. For Tyler and myself, I think it was a really good thing, because he didn't cry when they took him. That would have made it so much worse for us. They also gave him Lortab, so that it would be in his system as the surgery was only about 40 minutes. They brought Mace a wagon. He really enjoyed being pulled around in it. While we were waiting, the ENT specialist and anesthesiologist came to talk with us. They gave us an overview of what they expected to happen. The anesthesiologist was really nice, but they should make a rule that they don't tell you about the risks of surgery RIGHT before taking your child back to have surgery! 

One of the hardest moments we have experienced as parents, was when they wheeled Mace off in his wagon to surgery. 

The surgery lasted about 40 minutes. Tyler and I filled most of that time by eating breakfast. Even though it was a quick surgery, it was still really hard waiting. The ENT doctor came out and talked with us when it was over. He told us that everything went really well and that one of us would be able to go back with Mace soon. Tyler let me go back in the PACU with Mace. He was just waking up from surgery when I got back with him. It was sad to see him in pain and so confused. The nurse gave him more pain medicine and they brought me a rocking chair, so I could try my best to comfort him. He kept trying to hold his breath. It was really scary at one point, waiting for him to take a breath. The nurse had me keep an oxygen mask close by, because his levels kept dropping. After about 45 minutes, we were able to go to the recovery room. Tyler was able to join us there. I am so glad he let me go back with Mace first. I know he was going crazy not knowing what was going on and it didn't help that I left my phone with him when I went back. 

Mace immediately wanted his Daddy. Mace did really well with drinking a full sippy cup full of apple juice. Unfortunately, he threw it up a short while later. Poor Tyler, he did get a new shirt though! Mace continued to struggle with his oxygen levels. We ended up staying a little longer than the nurses thought we would.

We got to leave the hospital at 2:00 in the afternoon. Mace was so tired. Poor little boy wanted a sticker and then fell asleep before he could get it off the paper!

Mace slept most of the day. Tyler stayed with him throughout the night while I was with Cruz. It was a hard few days, but overall Mace had a much easier recovery than what we had planned for. 

Luckily, everything went well. The hospital staff was so great and we were really impressed with the care we received. Mace seems to have a much easier time breathing and seems to not run out of breath as much. He also seems to have a lot more energy. We are glad that he is doing better than normal!

Mt. Wolverine Cirque with Steve and Brad

Mace's First Time Skiing

Twin Lakes Pass with Parents

Christmas

Honeycomb Cliffs

Here is a time lapse video I made from my drive this morning up to the Alta parking lot:

I skied up to the Honeycomb Cliffs.  It was a beautiful day.

I recently got a smart phone and made this track using the app MyTracks.

Mace won't be snoring for long

A few weeks ago, I took Cruz to the doctor for his four month well-child check up. Everything seemed to be great with him. He is still off the charts for weight!

At the end of the appointment, I asked the doctor about Mace's snoring. I have started to worry more about him lately. The reasons for my worrying, are because he snores REALLY loud, it doesn't always sound like he is breathing, he wakes up frequently (I thought he would have "out grown" this one, by now.) and he tosses and turns while he sleeps. I was suspecting a sleep apnea diagnosis and a recommendation for get his tonsils removed. I told the doctor all of this. He looked in Mace's mouth and told me Mace has "kissing tonsils." This is a term that means, the tonsils are so big, they touch in the middle. He said that based on what I had told him and the size of the tonsils, I was probably right about the sleep apnea. He gave me a list of ENT specialists and said that I should call and make an appointment soon.

I made the appointment for a few days later. While at the appointment, the doctor examined Mace's ears, nose and throat. We were told that Mace has fluid in his ears. He then wanted to do a hearing test on Mace, to see if the fluid was causing any hearing loss. I was really shocked when he said that Mace wasn't hearing on a normal level. The doctor thinks it is because of the fluid and recommended putting tubes in his ears. This will help the fluid to drain and help prevent future ear infections. So, Mace will be getting his tonsils and adenoids out and tubes put in. The surgery is next week on December 13th. Recovery takes around 10 days, so we are hoping that he will be feeling pretty good by Christmas. I am really nervous. The thought of Mace laying on a hospital bed freaks me out. I have to keep reminding myself that this will help Mace. I am really excited for it to be completely over. I have heard that recovery is pretty tough. (I, myself have had the EXACT same surgery. I don't remember much though.)

I can't wait for Mace to be able to sleep and more importantly, to breathe better.

The much loved, Cookie Monster

When Mace was born, my Grandma gave Mace a Cookie Monster stuffed animal. It has always been one of his favorite things. Recently, Cruz has started to love it, too.

Brotherly Fun

Mace has been such a good big brother to Cruz. 

At least a couple times every day, Mace will ask to hold Cruz. 

He loves to share his blanket, pat his back, hide, snuggle and wrestle with baby Cruz.

Luckily, Cruz seems to enjoy being around his older brother and being forced to play along with all the craziness!

Aren't they cute?

It has been so much fun to have two kids. I think I have forgotten what it was like to only have one. (It is really hard remembering what life was like before we even had kids! What did we do with all our time?)

We sure love this thing called parenthood!