The Nicholsons

Monday, January 2, 2012

Mace's 2nd Time Skiing

Mace and Grandpa

Mace wanted Grandma to take him all over the hill

Mace clapping with excitement

Unfortunately, shortly after this video I let Mace try skiing the entire hill by himself. He had a big crash which gave him a bloody lip. He is already bragging about his crash though.

Patsy Marley with Brad

Brad and I skied Patsy Marley on Monday morning.

Brad skinning up the last couple hundred vertical feet:

The view to the West:

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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!