Closed Nasal Reduction

On Sunday, March 11th Aidan caught a baseball with his nose. 

I raced outside to find him on all fours with "a bloody waterfall" coming from his nose.

Those are his exact words when he told the ER doc what had happened.

It wasn't pretty, and I did the wrong thing by lying him on his back. Evidently this will let the blood run into your stomach. My friend, Liz, loaded him up into Scotty's truck since it was closest. It didn't start. 

Of course. 

We switched cars and ran him to the neighborhood life flight nurse. 

With one look he said, "Broken. Head to Primary's."

We did. 

Aidan cried and held a towel over his face. 

Eventually, he fell asleep on the 40 minute drive as blood trickled out his poor little nose.

Primary Children's Medical Center had several docs take a peek. Some were being tested on their knowledge.  All concluded, not broken, damage to cartilage, take something for pain. The swelling was masking the real damage.

Aidan rated his pain a 5 at that time. After some grilled cheese sandwiches dipped in A-1 (Liz's addiction) we headed home and put him to bed with a puffy face. 

By Thursday, the swelling was reduced and a hard lump on the side of his nose had us back in a pediatrician's sweltering office. Aidan and I both started to fall asleep as Dr.McCune bounded in. 

"Looks broken to me. You need to see an ENT soon."  

Monday morning I pulled the boy out of school yet again and we went to the much praised Dr. Heidi Heras. Mind you at this point Aidan has not had an x-ray.  I learned that x-rays of noses just aren't really used much (unless you've been in a car wreck or such where there'd be other injuries to look at and insurances to appease).  Heidi used her skilled hands to find the break on both sides and guided me to feel them for myself.  Then I looked up the boys left nostril.  There was just a small space for him to breathe through. When she held the right side shut you could hear the air squeeze through the left side.  

"It's been too long and this is too set for me to work on.  I'm going to send you to Dr.Denys this afternoon." She spoke of tools that resembled butter knives being used to realign things.  As we left the tears started. I tried to console them with a smoothie and fries.  That afternoon we were in yet another Dr.office. Dr.Deny, who'd received mixed reviews from my peers.  He was a quiet man, who made small talk with Aidan and then drew me 3 diagrams, at different angles, of Aidan's nose fracture and how he could fix it. He really made it sound like no problem to fix. It was somewhat set, but he could get those bones to move back into place. 

Monday morning at 6:00 Aidan received a Priesthood blessing and we headed out in the dark to American Fork hospital.  

Cole got up early to tell Aidan good luck.

We talked about how lucky we are to have doctors who can help us feel better, and clean comfortable hospitals to be treated in.  Then we went through the list of surgeries in our family.

Daddy- brain

Mommy- C-section

Chloe- ---

Asher- hernia

Aidan- nose

Cole- -----

Grace- MRSA infection

Without the help of modern medicine some of us wouldn't be here.   

Aidan checked himself in and grabbed a beeper. 

 He checked out the awesome fish tank in the empty waiting room.

 Changed into the awesome gown fitted with a plug for a hot air blower to be attached after surgery.

 Then he sat back and enjoyed the t.v. as doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists came in and out checking paper work.

 I waited about 45 minutes and they brought him back to me sniffling from crying so hard.
The nurse said he had the anesthesia blues.  I guess this was his reaction to the meds.
 Of course it was. He's a tender-hearted boy, and I tried to soothe him and tell him he was all done and okay now.  He slept for a time, then I was able to get him to eat some grape slushy.

 We were home around 10:30, and the medicine had taken a toll on his stomach.
I tried to cheer him up by bringing him a package the UPS man had delivered.
It was his battle axe he'd purchased from Amazon with his birthday money.
Great timing, but until he reset his stomach he wasn't interested in anything.

This is where he spent his day.
In his box fort with his blanket and battle axe.


Glad the worst is behind us.

Playing with your mind

This posts been a long time coming.

Since the boy it's about turned 9 yesterday it was fitting to complete and finally submit.

Aidan is a thinker, a creator, and a tender-heart.

Over the last little while I've been collecting photos of some of his quirky and creative behavior.

Captured for future generations to look at  and nod in understanding.

So here was his idea for a Valentine's box.

He figured his love box should be worn... on his head. 

Inside he used a cereal bowl that would form to his head. 

Here he is modeling some of his creations made from everyday items.

He used some of our neighbors tubing to make himself into a robot, complete with mask.

Can you guess what this box, doomed to the recycling bin, became?

Uh-huh, a large stash of weaponry was created from this cardboard. Machetes to AK-47's. 

This is a very common way for Aidan to use his extra time before school.

He creates animals from winter gloves.

This would be a rabbit. He can also produce a dog or fox.  

This was an invention made during a visit to Will and Kelly's

 where he spent time hanging out in the garage. 

He was pretty sure that this could make a spark that could light a fire. 

This is Aidan's nightstand.

He keeps his most beloved items here, and occasionally sets up a wild animal scene.

Aidan came home from Miles' after doing "self-makeovers".

Improvement, no?

I will often find photos on my camera of projects Aidan's done.

This was one .

A lego plane.

 To celebrate nine years of Aidan I picked him up a giant octopus balloon and delivered it to the school.

Nothing makes a kid cooler. 

The birthday dinner of his choice was, "chicken, peas, and broccoli".

I helped round it out with some mashed potatoes and gravy, and rolls.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful boy. 

Aidan arms, weapons, etc.

I've added to my pin collection

I was recently released as the Bear den leader. 

What a fantastic time it was. Those 9 year old boys are happy, eager, and so funny.

I started with my very own 9 year old Bear Asher, and have spent nearly 3 years helping boys learn to tie knots, buy used cars, enjoy nature, and carve soap.

My own two boys are advancing nicely through the scouting program. 

Aidan was awarded the rank of Wolf on November 10, 2011. 

Asher's been busily working towards 1st Class Rank.

Here he was rescuing someone with an injured ankle from a smoke-filled room.

It was so much fun he rescued each sibling, even Chloe.

 On November 29, 2011 Asher received the rank of 2nd Class Scout.
He is one overnight campout away from 1st class, and will be doing that in January.
Yea for winter camping!
He's also started earning some merit badges. Boy, those are a doozy. I helped him study up for the automotive maintenance merit badge. I can now explain the main differences between a gas and diesel engine, and so can he!

I'm thankful for the Scout program for my boys. It encourages them to learn new things, work hard, always do their best, and helps them form bonds with other boys and leaders.

Scout Camp 2011

Because I am a Bear Den Leader and also have a very fine Wolf Scout myself I attended Scout Camp last Saturday.  This was Aidan's first time to a day camp and he was beyond excited.   We headed up to Jeremiah Johnson scout camp in Hobble Creek Canyon.

 It was mighty cold in the shadow of that mountain.  Our scouts huddled for warmth. We've obviously taught them well.

 Here is Aidan and his buddy for the day (and many other days as well), Miles.

So, what you may ask, makes Scout Camp a boys dream come true. 

Let me tell you.  They have this place set up to pack in as much excitement as

an 8-9 year old boy can handle.  

It starts with an assigned camp guide who appeared to be about 12. 

Connor.

He was full of energy and charisma. 

Everything was awesome, the best, great, fantastic!

He would chant: WE ARE

The boys would respond: AWESOME-ITES!

over. and over. and over. and over. 

Chanting real loud never gets old when you're an 8 year old boy. 

The day began with a Raingutter Regatta. 

The boys built boats, decorated boats, raced boats in 30 minutes. 

The learned the history of the flag and how to properly fold one. 

 Real genuine sling-shots were next.  An extra bead was promised to boys who got rocks into specific cans or tubes.  Aidan hit the yellow tube on his first shot, but the rock didn't make it in. 

 They learned about different tools then made their own swords.

Here they are with the leader Connor ready to go to battle against another scout group.

It was vicious. There were some injuries. 

 Excitement hit a new high when we approached the BB Gun range.

Aidan models the protective eyewear here. 

 Next: Archery

A bit of a tricky sport.

Aidan caught on to this quickly and hit the sack several times. 

What a day! So glad I went and enjoyed it with Aidan and all those other sweet boys. 

Our Aidy

The day began with his Birthday Breakfast pick.

Triple batch of Buttermilk pancakes, syrup, bacon, and hot cocoa with whipped cream.

That'll get any tired body out of bed. Especially the Mother who needs to get cooking.

Aidan woke up with a smile and tidied the family room while I was cooking. 

After breakfast and singing with a sparkler we gave Aidan the gifts of an 8th birthday. 

Namely:

A journal and sour gummies

Beyblades

Socks and Undies

96 count of crayons

&

A nice scripture set with his name on them. 

Aidan is a light in our home. A happy boy who takes care of others. A lover of animals, candy, breakfast food, friends, pants that fit up over his belly button, his blanket, and being outside. A great speller.

A quick learning pianist. Hazel colored eyes and a smile that melts a mother's heart. 

Happy Birthday my boy. 

This is Non-Fiction

I've been noticing it for quite awhile.
He'll bring home a take home library chapter book.
He'll avoid it.
During his reading minutes I see him at the table with his crumbly cookie doing sign language.
Pouring over the library book of his choice, turning pages and doing signs.


The next day he greeted me "Zdravstvuj Mom!"
Huh?


It's Russian. I said, hello.
What are you reading today Aidan ?
It's a book that teaches me how to speak Russian.


If the two little boys can go get ready for bed without an incident they earn stories.
Aidan picks the same book. His book of animals and their tracks- a gift from Uncle Shawn.
I start wherever I left off.  We were in the rodent section the other night and covered beavers and moles and the like.  He would insert random things about each animal as I read the facts; size, weight, habitat.


I went to Aidan's Parent Teacher Conference yesterday. He led it.  He took me around the room and showed me different things. Sometimes if his teacher is busy people ask him how to spell things and he puts it up on the word wall for them. I read his stories about animals that spoke different languages and The God of Nature.  It was fun to see what he does during the day, where he puts his energy and focus. His teacher praised his awesomness and I concurred. 

And then there was one.

I went to check on the littles one last time before I headed to bed.
Pull up the covers, rub their cheek.
When I got to Aidan I instinctively reached up to pull his thumb out of his mouth.


His thumb wasn't in his mouth.


Then I asked myself, "Does Aidan suck his thumb?"
I walked back to our room and asked Scott.
It was a yes.  Of course it was a yes. He's sucked his thumb since he was in utero.
We have a picture of that.
As he's gotten older he would only suck his thumb if he had his blanket and was tired or hurt.
He'd wind up the little yarn ties on his blanket and stick one in his ear while he sucked that thumb.
I remembered old conversations I've had with him about what comes out of his thumb.
He was convinced for quite a long time that he was receiving some kind of nutrition from it.
Funny boy.
So he's almost 8. I've never really worried about the thumb sucking. I figured he would just stop when he was ready and I'm already planning on braces.  Besides it comforted him and he was comfortable with it.

I realized it's been quite some time since I've seen him suck his thumb.
So, it's over with no fanfare. How come I didn't get the memo on that?

And now there is only one thumb sucker round here.

Back

It was back to school day.

I'm not sure I was ready for this.

They had their clothes, backpacks, shoes, supplies,

but I just wasn't ready for them to be gone for a majority of the day.

It's kind of strange when I think about them gone

having interactions with other kids and adults.

Having conversations, making choices, learning new things and I'm there for none of it. 

However, I fancy myself a pretty good "reader of emotion", and so

I generally know how the day has gone when I talk to them at home.

We did the traditional 1st day of school pictures and walked together.

Chloe- Grade 6

Asher- Grade 5

Aidan- Grade 2

When we got to the school they usually line up with their class, but today there were no lines.
Asher just went right in. No hug, no kiss, no "see you later Mom". Just gone.
Then I couldn't find Aidan and assumed he'd gone in too.  Chloe told me goodbye and the tears just came.  I was too easily dismissed for the next 6 + hours.  Aidan was just putting his bike away and I made sure to get my goodbye hug/kiss from him.
As we started to walk home Cole said, "Mom why are you crying?"
Me: "I'm sad the kids will be gone all day."
Cole: "But Mom, you still have me."
 That boy knows how to cheer my heart.
Happy First Day of School children.

To the Museum

Scott and Aidan headed out to the Dinosaur Museum on Monday.

No not $2 Tuesday.

Million Dollar Monday.

I was bummed that we were off by one day, but our schedules are packed.

I LOVED the pictures they took on their day together.

I think Million Dollar Monday has its benefits.

They pretty much had the place to themselves.

It would seem to me that the two of them had a fine time exploring Dinosaurs.

And taking some pretty hilarious pictures. 

They topped the day off with a Tower Cone and Aidan came home with some plastic animals.

That would bake 4,163 plastic animals he now has.

Perfect.