Hawaii...

Here is a quick recap of our trip in Hawaii. :)

The flight out was horrible. Most of you know, who live in Fairbanks or have visited the only flight that you can get is the 1am flight out of here. Not sure why I can never fly at any other time...anyways. That flight is never on time. Well, Jeff packed my laptop - and my phone Internet was being so slow (didnt think to call to double check) so I couldn't check the status and Jeff was in a rush to just leave and get checked in. So we leave at 11ish and check in at 1145 - to find out our plane is an hour late - we wont be taking off until 2am ish. YIKES. So we had lots of time to kill - good thing too because while we were going through security - our double jogging stroller doesn't fit through the x-ray so they manually check it....WELL.... we forgot to wash Jeffs bag and gloves before leaving (read: Jeffs gloves and backback have been sitting in the back of his Stryker for 6 months exposed to God knows what) so what happens?? Well there was residue on his glove that got transferred onto the handle of the jogging stroller where they swabbed for the test: The test for explosives..... All of a sudden - there are a lot of people by our stroller, taking our bags - and telling us that they have to do a search and pat us all down. They were doing there job, questioning us where we worked etc. The stroller tested positive for RDX, ax explosive that Jeff is exposed to all the time! Just an exciting story to remember for this R&R Trip.

The boys did fairly well on the plane trip - sleeping most of the way. Blake did have a couple of crying spells, which really weren't that bad - but as a sleep deprived parent, trying not to piss everyone off on the plane the situation is 100x worse do to stress than it usually is.

By the time we got to Honolulu we had to catch a 20 min flight to Kauai. At this time Ian is just yelling no more planes I want to go to the beach. He calms down and we finally check into our condo. We left AK 0200 am and arrived at our condo at 5pm the next day. The place was lovely. Just like the pictures on the website. 2 bedroom 3 bath condo with an wonderful kitchen! Stainless steel everything - and a view of the ocean from our bedroom and living room. :) Plenty of rooms for the kids to play and plenty of space outside that they could run around in and we could sit on the lanai and watch them as we chatted, drank tea, or tasty tropical drinks.

Blake wasn't a fan of the grass or sand. I dont blame him - all he knows is snow! It took him a day or two to learn that it was ok and he would finally walk on it. We pretty much just chilled at the condo for the first couple of days. Hanging out by the pool, the beach and taking walks along the ocean. The boys loved it. We enjoyed it.

We rented a car Thursday and Friday and toured the South and West shores of Kauai on Thursday. gorgeous coasts view, and wonderful valleys - we stopped at pretty much every guide thing in the book along the way. There is only one road that goes around the Island - so you'll pretty much see everything. We stopped at Spouting Horn, and the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

On Friday we stayed close to the area - didn't go to the North Shore like I had wanted because we were going to an Luau that night from 5-9 and wanted the boys on best behavior. So we stuck to the East side and drove around Kapp'a and Lihuie and found a great park for the boys to play with and play on the ocean. It was great. Then we went to the Luau. That was fun - the PIg that they had cooked, wasn't as good as i thought it was going to be and the Poi was just plain - kinda nasty - an equivalent to lettuce - really no taste. The boys loved the dancing and the drum playing of the Hula Dancers. Very nice.

Then the rest of the weekend we stayed at the condo playing in the ocean, pool etc. As much as I would loved to do more - I have to realize that we have 2 toddlers and traveling with children isnt' that easy. I guess when they are older Grandma and Grandpa can take them as Jeff and I can really "vacation" .

We really enjoyed ourselves. Very laid back, slow and relaxing. Just wanted the doctor ordered.

We are here

I know its been a while since I have posted. Jeff arrived in Fairbanks on March 6 and will be leaving on the 21 - tomorrow morning. We have enjoyed his stay very much. We hung around the house for a few days before boarding a plane and flying to Hawaii - we stayed on Kauai for a week. PURE JOY! Then we just hung out at home for the remainder of his R&R. The countdown for 6 more months will start here shortly... enjoy some pictures. :) I will type of our vacation here shortly! :)

Ian says the funniest things.

So my one girlfriend is about 25 weeks pregnant and we told Ian there is a baby in her belly and showed him the ultra sound pictures that she had gotten. He was really fascinated by her growing belly - and then when we got home he asked me why I had pictures of her baby on our fridge. Referring to Blake's Ultrasound pictures...the kicker was this morning.

Ian: "Mommy I have a baby in my tummy."

Me: "You do, I thought just Dawn one in her tummy."

Ian: "Its ready to come out."

Me: "It is!"

Ian: now pretending like he going to throw up "Its out mommy."

Me: "Wow, that was impressive Ian."

Ian: He is now digging in his pants and pulls out a girl Little People Figurine. "Its a sister!"

Me: "A girl!"

Then he runs away. I wish we were programmed with cameras in our heads so we can video record and push our nose or something and it recalled and able to be printed out! :)

Movie Day & Wheezy Blake

So I know its been a while since Ive updated...been down in the dumps and really felt like posting anything. Im out of my gloom because Jeff is coming home for R&R in the beginning of March and we are going to HAWAII! I hope to rejuvenate myself and get some fresh air, fresh food, and some SUN!

Since I was off from work and in a bad mood - I needed to get out of the house. I so I took the boys to the movies. I ventured out to see Hotel for Dogs at noon - thinking that nobody would be there on a Friday I was right - it was just us and another couple. :) Ian loved the movie, Blake enjoyed the beginning and was yelling "doggies, doggies" and pointing and waving to the big screen. IT was really cute. Then he got all cuddly (he NEVER is) and felt super warm, and feel asleep. I thought it was from the blanket and sitting with me all wrapped up... we get home and he has a 102.2 fever. YIKES...then starts getting wheezy...long couple of days of sick baby ahead...

At the movies. They had fun and enjoyed popcorn and juice!

Despite feeling bad with a fever, Blake smiles and waves to the camera, I must say its cute!

Anyways - on Saturday I made a trip to the ER because Blake was getting to wheezy and I couldn't control it with the inhaler I had here at home for him. Sometimes I wish I could have the authority to call in my own prescriptions because I knew exactly what he needed - and the ER gave it to me. Few treatments later, leaving with more inhalers, steroids and an antibiotic... and 4 days later we are doing good. Still some wheezes and a prolonged expiratory phase, but we are hanging in there. NO more fever - which means no more clingy baby trying to be glued to Mommy's hip! :) This is when I wish I had a great baby wearing sling that I could whip out. I couldn't find Ian's when he was a baby, trust me I looked HARD!

Here is my poor baby in the ER with all of his comforts...blankie, passy and his lion from daddy.

Baby Blue Eyes!

Sleepy time more cozy thanks to Dad!

Jeff has been nice and sends the boys gifts every couple of months so they get something special just from him and it comes in the mail and its very exciting for the boys to get mail. A month ago Jeff sent them a stuffed tiger and lion. Next time we know to get them each the same thing becuase they fight over them because they are different! haha. Here are pictures of boys cuddled up to thier new stuffed animal!

Results

Hello everyone. I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers through this trying time in our lives right now. Ian's MRI results came back from the Radiologist here at FMH. They said that the tumor/lesion is still there, in the same spot, the same size! So for right now we are in the clear. I still have to send the films up to Seattle for the Neurologist and Neurosurgeon to review - but I am sure that they will say the same thing.

Ian this time around was a little bit more scared. I think he knew what was going on. Once again my good friend Renee was working that day and was the OR nurse for his case. So a familiar face was great for him. She said this time he really didn't talk much and sat there and look scared - you could tell. So next time, should be 6 months from now, I may have to use versed or some oral anti-anxiety. The anesthesiologist wanted to use it this time, but I said no because I knew he would be ok. And plus as a Peds Nurse I have experienced not so nice things when kids are waking up from having some versed. Let me just say this: They are possessed by Satan for a little bit and are VERY hard to manage. I did not want that happening to Ian.

I couldn't have asked for nicer nurses, and care. Since I work there I know a majority of the staff, and they were more than accommodating and making sure I was ok and comfortable. Which I am sure they do for all patients, and not just treating me extra special. People popped in and wished nothing but the best for Ian's results. I am truly blessed to have such a great supportive "hospital family". FMH will always have a special place in my heart.

So here are a few pictures of Ian on the morning of the MRI. We are waiting to go to MRI room.

In the wagon, ready to go!

Im nice and cozy in my warm blanket!


No more pictures mom, lets get this over with!

Horsing Around.

A blog that I check out every now and then is hosting a give a way for this awesome rocking horse... 5 mins for giveaways ...check it out and vote for Ian!



Picture I am entering...this is one of my favs of him. He thought the diaper cream was lotion. He is always: "Horsing Around!" SO if you like my picture, please comment on the 5 min of giveaway and let them know that Ian should be a finalist! :) Thanks.