Family Pics and Hogle Zoo

We went down for Logan's surgery follow-up and since Alex was out of school we decided to make a fun day of it. We started out by getting our family pictures done, thanks Julia. I love when the vision I have in my head actually works out on paper.

We then went to Logan's appointment where he was given a clean bill of health and allowed to eat whatever he wanted. Since the zoo was right by the hospital we decided to spend the day there. The boys loved seeing all of the animals. One gorilla was nice enough to moon us.
After the zoo we let Logan choose what he wanted to eat. He said french fries so we went out to eat at Red Robin. We had a really fun day and are so glad this major surgery is behind us.

The Plan

I just received an email with the following link. Right now I am really struggling with trying to find my plan. I feel like I am doing everything right but nothing is working out. It is a daily struggle to figure out why we have to be tried as much as we have been. I know there is a purpose and I guess I am being taught patience as I strive to find it.
I saw a couple of good quotes from Elder Holland. He has a new quote book out for Mother's day and these come from that. "Some blessings come soon, some come late and some don't come until Heaven; but for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." "If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, TAKE HEART So it has been with the best people who ever lived."
I am in no way perfect nor I do I consider myself one of the best people. I just hope that I am doing what I am suppose to with what i have been given. I truly struggle everyday wondering and waiting for what is coming next. I need to learn to just live for that day. Enjoy my sweet family daily and forget everything else. Hopefully, things will work out, eventually.

Baby Animal Day

We braved the snow and freezing temperatures to keep our tradition going. I was worried about Logan who was only a week out of suregery but he did really well. We had fun petting turtles. seeing baby bears. petting goats, riding the train and horses and most of all trying not to get frostbite.

Tooth Fairy and presents

The dentist kept Logan's tooth that he extracted so the tooth fairy could come. He was so excited to put his tooth under the pillow. He came in after we tucked him in bed and asked if the tooth fairy could leave his tooth. I said I am sure we could work that out. He was so excited when he woke up and found the tooth fairy had come and left him money.




Then later when we went out to get the mail there was a present from the Martins in VA. He was so excited to open it and find a fun book and card.



What a lucky kiddo to get 2 visits from fairies on one day.

Posterior Pharyngeal Flap

That is a really long and fancy word for surgery to get Logan's palate to move. He was scheduled for surgery on April 1st. I thought it was kind of a cruel day to do it but it was the only time during spring break the doctor could do it. We had to meet with the dentist first that was extracting his teeth at 8:30. Then we went to check in for surgery were we played for about an hour.



Scrubs from grandma


Our "balloon" we made to entertain
The anesthesiologist came in and we all walked down the hall together. Then she said to give us a hug and he lost it and would not let me go. It was the first time he has ever had a melt down. I felt so bad leaving him like that.


Logan on his way to surgery, sideways
The doctor had come back to tell us how everything went and said we could see him in about 30 minutes or so. Well that time came and went and we had not been called back to see him. I kept thinking something was wrong but didn't want to believe it. Finally about an hour and a half later I was called back to the recovery room. When I got there I noticed his respiration was at 76% and said wow that seems low. The nurse said oh that look a lot better then it was. I was a little shocked by that. The nurse then asked me if I had talked to Dr. Siddiqi and I told her just right after the surgery. She then told me that Logan had started to swell and Dr. Siddiqi and the ENT were called in to find out how to stop the swelling. The swelling was making it so he could not breathe. They had given him a steroid treatment and put him on oxygen to help him breathe easier. She said he would be staying in the ICU that night to see if they could get him to stabalize his breathing. She handed him to me to cuddle and I noticed how swollen he was. His breathing improved once he was in my arms and I was so glad.
After about a half an hour in recovery we were finally moved up to ICU. Right after we got there they gave him another steroid treatment and his breathing seemed to do a lot better. Unfortunately, it was RSV season so Alex could not come up and see him in the ICU but his grandparents were able to come and see him.


Getting his steroid treatment
About 4 am Logan woke up and pulled the cannula out of his nose. I tried to get it back in and he kept fighting me. The nurse said just to leave it out and to see how he did. Thankfully that was the last time we had to use oxygen. The next morning he was given the all clear to move up to the regular surgical unit we just had to wait for a bed. I got Logan dressed in his comfy new pj's and got our stuff packed. This is what Logan did while I packed:

He was so worn out.
At about noon he was moved up to the surgical unit and he did so well up there. He loved having his brother come and visit. His favorite was his trip down to the playroom with his friend Mr. Pole.


On the way to his new room


Watching the eagletts

On Sunday morning we finally got the exciting news that he was going to be released. There was only one condition: he had to eat. Dad came up to help convince him it was ok to eat. I let him order whatever he wanted off the menu. He ordered cream of wheat and chocolate milk. This was the first time he actually ate and we were so excited. At noon he was given the all clear and we headed to grandma's house to spend time with family and get some much needed rest.

Finally eating

Doing his dance of joy

His trip to freedom

Primary's has all kinds of cool things. These are in the elevator bay.

All tuckered out on the ride home
We are so glad that despite some struggles Logan did so well during this surgery. He is such a happy kid and even during surgery he always is able to make us laugh. We are so grateful our stink bug survived yet another round of surgery.

April Fool's

I asked Alex if he was going to be sad about not getting to "celebrate" April Fool's day since Logan was going to be in surgery. He said he was a little disappointed so I researched a quick and fun recipe to do the night before. We found these awesome cupcakes that were super easy to make and everyone loved them. I think they look pretty realistic.