A Spooktacular Halloween

Wyatt's Halloween Parade at PreschoolToo busy concentrating on not tripping on that long coat he HAD to wear that he wouldn't wave or smile at his biggest fan (me)!Carson's Halloween ParadeI got a quick wave out of this boy! On Halloween, we went to our ward trunk or treat then did a little trick or treating.We went to some other neighborhoods in SS because a) the boys already got candy from the neighbors at the ward ditty b) I was out of candy and didn't want to go buy more and c) it was fun going to some cool houses where they go all out with projectors and decorations. Way too much candy, but they LOVED trick or treating and had a fun time!

PS...The scooter finally came. Some guy almost put it out to sell at the store even though I had already paid for it!

And I caught Easton smiling--had to post this picture!

Carson's Birthday Part 2

Tuesday, Carson's grandparents (Ryan's parents), came down to take Carson to lunch. He came home from school and told me he did not want me to go with them. After some convincing from Grandma, Carson agreed to let us tag along as long as we rode separately and ate at a different table. TRUE story! I can't make this stuff up! Yes, Carson wore that hat to lunch. (Insert sarcastic "Super!") Grandma is into photography lately and wanted their picture. Ryan saw this and asked if the cardboard read, "Will work for food." :)The next morning I let Carson unwrap a present (new school clothes) before going to school. His big present (a scooter) still hasn't arrived. I am very aggravated with Wally's right now! Fortunately, it didn't seem to upset him as he was just pumped it was his big day! Grandma Joan came and took him to lunch and the zoo.

Again, I was not invited. Seriously, what did I do?!?
He had a great time from what I can see in the pictures my mom took.

That night he allowed us to meet him and take him to dinner. FYI: Don't go to Red Robin if you want them to sing to you on your birthday & give you a free dessert. They don't do that. Whatever!

We came home and let him unwrap a few more presents and had cake and ice cream.

It is supposed to be a dinosaur. Let's just say I tried. :)

Happy Birthday Carson! I'm so glad you had a special day & I hope your scooter comes soon. Then maybe you'll like me. :)

Happy 6th Birthday Carson!

The countdown has been on, well, probably since his last birthday. Carson is sooo excited to be 6!
(I wasn't going to buy school pictures but when he looked at me with his big brown puppy dog eyes and told me they wouldn't send him home with his pictures unless I sent money with him, I caved and bought pictures. Man, the school sure knows how to get your kids to spend your money!)

• Carson is a great helper and I don't know what I would do without him!
• He loves pizza, ice cream, chocolate milk, and pretty much everything. He packs away a lot of food & I don't know what he does with it because he is a slim little thing.
• He gets scared pretty easily. We'll see how Halloween goes....
• He is so good with his brothers, especially Easton.
• He loves superheros, playing with friends, watching TV, playing the computer & wii.
• He loves his bike and has pretty much worn it out.
• There are about 5 girls with crushes on him and they call or come by to play daily.
• He is so smart and doing so great in school.
• He is a really good boy, but can get a little cranky if he is tired or hungry (typical man stuff).
• He will read to Wyatt every night before bed.
• He is very responsible and is trying so hard to be a good boy.

Tomorrow is the big day. He has the whole day planned out. I'll post about it all later. Happy Birthday Carson! We LOVE you!!! We couldn't ask for a better son or brother! Thank you for being you!

Easton 5 Months

We have seen a lot more smiles lately from our baby boy. His personality is back and he seems to be feeling pretty good.

Some things I want to remember about Easton at 5 months:

• He LOVES his brothers. He is always smiling at them and looking for them when they aren't around.
• He is "talking" a lot more.
• He hates being left in a room alone.
• He will be moving out of our room this weekend--I hope it goes well!
• He wants to put everything in his mouth.
• He loves playing with toys.
• He is a home body and doesn't like crowds or noise.
• He is very cuddly and loves to be held while he sleeps.
• Has had rice cereal once and loved it.
• He cries in the car when it is dark, but will stop crying if you turn on the lights inside the car.
• He hates lying on his tummy (I think it hurts b/c of the surgery) and will roll from his tummy to back when he feels the need.
• He loves being sung to.
• He is very very spoiled!

We sure love you, Baby Easton! It has been a rough month for you and we hope you get better from here!

Halloween party in Henefer

We had our annual Halloween party at my parent's house on Saturday. The boys are Alvin and the Chipmunks this year. It's fun seeing them all together.
Ryan is Dave & I'm Dave's girlfriend. (Ya, we were losers and didn't dress up!)
Wyatt was scared of Grandpa & didn't want to be so close to him.My dad totally scared Wyatt to death that he had a hard time going to bed that night! He thought kept talking about Grandpa's "make-up". Carson also woke up having nightmares from the Haunted House. Grandma & Grandpa sure scared 'em good this year!

And here they are: Alvin, Simon, and Theadorable (according to Aunt Teresa)!

Happy Halloween!

We have a lot more Halloween activities coming so more pictures are on the way!

Wyatt Funnies

Wyatt while looking at Carson's homework: "Cawson-you need to pactice yo yeddas" (letters) Carson: "I already know my letters!"

Carson has strep & while discussing whether to give him the shot or amoxicillin at home with Dr. Wilcox: "Dive da shot to Widox" (Give the shot to Wilcox)

When he sings Happy Birthday, he is always a little behind the rest of us so he sounds like the echo or like he is singing it in round. I really need to get this on camera. It's really cute!

Pictures

Arriving at the hospitalPre-surgery exam & prepHe was happy but STARVING!

After surgery

Kind of out of it...

Getting ready to come home!

The three amigos back home together again!

The catheter coming out his back.

Surgery Update

We are still at Primary's, but should be leaving later today. Easton did so great and is acting happy, eating well, and hasn't required any pain meds today! They removed an inch of his ureter and had to fix where it attaches to the kidney. The mastocytosis didn't cause any problems during surgery--hooray! He will have the stent coming out of his back for a week then the doctor just takes that out in his office. He took all day to wake up, and is still pretty tired, but pretty much back to normal.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! We are so blessed, and we can feel a special spirit has been surrounding Easton at this time! I have such great family and friends--thank you so much! I'll post some pictures later.

The mysterious rash has a name...

Mastocystosis

• The presence of too many mast cells in the body
• Mast cells are present in connective tissues (skin, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, linings of lungs, stomach, intestines)
• Mast cells are part of the immune system and release histamine
• Symptoms: abdominal pain & cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, skin lesions, ulcers, and musculoskeletal pain
• Can treat symptoms but no cure for the disease
• Considered a mysterious disease to doctors
• Children can outgrow it when mild
• Rarely, can become leukemia
• Children with extensive lesions are high risk for shock or sudden death from anaphylaxis
• Cannot have medications that release histamine (morphine, codeine, ibuprofen, etc...)

Now what?

Easton has been to the hospital twice this week for blood tests. We need to make sure he is safe for surgery. They want him to go to grand rounds for dermatology. They are going to start some medications. Still planning on surgery for his kidney on Monday. I have been told I have a great doctor that has Easton's best interests at heart. He went on his day off to Primary's to meet with Easton's surgeon and a hematologist, and is also communicating everything to his pediatrician.

I am so grateful for prayer. For support of loving family and friends. I hate knowing he has something they don't know a lot about and there is no cure. I am hopeful he will outgrow it but still worry like crazy! I hope he isn't always in pain. What does his future hold? I pray a long healthy life! And I am still wishing it was me NOT him.

A First

Carson came home from school yesterday with his first phone number from a girl. :)I guess she didn't want him to lose it since she put it on a huge piece of red paper!
He said she is his friend and they want to have a play date. How cute!

Easton-4 months!

Time is just flying by and I can't believe Easton is 4 months old already! Here are his stats:

Weight 15lbs 15oz (72%)

Length: 24 3/4'' (46%)

Head Circumference 16 1/2 '' (41.5%) The doctor is so glad to see him growing well and he is developmentally right on track.
The pediatrician referred us to a dermatologist to figure out this rash. The dermo said it is nothing common. He took a biopsy (numbed the skin, took a huge hunk of skin from his back with a razor blade, and burned the skin closed) and is sending it to the U. I can stomach most things. I have seen surgeries, circumcisions, and biopsies of other things, but I had to turn away. It was bad, but Easton did fantastic.

He said he may even have me take Easton to a conference type thing with other dermatologists where they discuss him. He also said the possible diagnoses for the rash are "exotic". Just what every mother wants to hear. I was hoping to go in there and he would know what it was and how to treat him. The biopsy comes back in a week. Oh my poor little baby! I worry that I am doing what is best for him. I feel so horrible seeing him go through this. I hope we can get some answers and get him healthy very soon!

Winter?

I know ONE person who is ready for the snow to come! Stay tuned for pictures of Wyatt in his swimming suit in January!

Way to go Ry!

Ryan tested to be a transportation officer this week and got hired! He is so excited and we are so happy for him. He will still be with the department of corrections, but will be transporting inmates to court, hospitals, or county jails. They will put him through POST so that will be awesome. That means he will have the same certifications as a police officer. I can't really think about him wearing a ballistics vest and carrying a gun or I might go a little nuts. I hope you enjoy your new position, Babe!