My Cute Boy

Modeling his hospital pajamas, right before surgery.

Matthew was not even a tiny bit nervous. I guess I did a good job of hiding my nervousness from him. When it was time to go to the operating room, he gave me a kiss and I told him I'd see him in just a minute. He said "ok, see ya mom," took the anesthesiologist's hand and walked down the hall to the OR.

Hanging out in the recovery room.

I am amazed at how well Matthew did. He woke right up from the anesthesia after surgery, and within 10 minutes was asking to get up and go home. The nurse told him he only had to stay for an hour, as long as he didn't have any problems. He drank a slushy, watched some cartoons, and we were on our way home after only 3 hours at the hospital. That's half the time they told us we would be there.

Now Matthew is just hanging out on the couch, playing video games and watching movies. He was a little grouchy when the pain medication from surgery wore off. Then going to bed last night was rough. He normally sleeps on his tummy, but couldn't because it hurt his incision. He couldn't even roll on his side, so it took a few hours and lots of tears before he finally fell asleep. He is feeling much better today, and will be up and running around like usual for Christmas - yay!

Ready or Not

Matthew is having surgery to repair his hernia tomorrow. They're very common in preemies. He has most likely had it since birth, but it was too small to notice until now. Last week we went to the pre-operation preparation class at the new Primary Children's surgical center. It was great - I think it will really help Matthew not to be anxious tomorrow since he has already had a tour of where his surgery will take place and talked to the nurses about everything that will happen. He even knows where the slushy machine is and that he can ask the nurse for as many slushies as he wants after surgery - he is seriously excited for that part! I cannot wait for the surgery to just be over so I can stop worrying about my sweet little boy.

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas around here.

Can you guess who's turn it was to put the angel on the tree?

If you guessed Matthew, you'd be correct.

Kylie may have shut herself in her room for a few minutes.

Luckily, Mommy knows the name of the cutest boy at school, and the mere mention of his name has a magical effect.

We've also been baking cinnamon rolls, and the kids really enjoyed making this cute little gingerbread house. I think after Matthew's surgery tomorrow, I will be more ready to enjoy the season - we still have places to go and things to see!

Jingle Bells!

Kylie has been taking piano lessons for a little over 2 months now, and she had her first piano recital on Saturday. She was nervous, and who wouldn't be after playing for only 2 months? But, she did awesome! So proud of my girl. And look, she even let me curl her hair (which made her very angry at me for several hours after she looked in the mirror - but I loved the curls).

Just Couldn't Break The Curse

Every year, for 10 years now, we spend the week following Thanksgiving in Park City. In the past we called it our "annual date with the snow," but since there was no snow this year or last, the title is no longer applicable. If you missed last year's post regarding the Park City Curse, read here first. We went with a positive attitude, ready to give it one last try, but this year was no exception to the curse.....

Even without snow for all the fun things like tubing and skiing, there is always ice-skating!

We missed the trainers though - apparently they were dangerous and they banned them. Mommy and Matthew begged to sign release waivers to no avail.

The kids were even happy to play at the park in 10 degree weather - seriously too cold, I only lasted 5 minutes before dragging them back to the car.

Why is there a frog in Park City? Um, there's not. This isn't in Park City. Why? Because our little condo had a gas leak, and we had to come home after only 3 nights instead of 7. Lame. If you ever trust a single piece of advice from me, let it be this: Never, ever, never buy a timeshare. If you want one, call me, you can have ours - for free. But, I wouldn't even advise you to take it for free. I love you too much. Plus, ours is cursed remember? Anyway, we are so lucky to be alive. I smelled gas in our condo at 10pm. After I put the kids to bed, I walked into the main room and it wreaked of natural gas. I called John out and he could smell it too. He went to get someone at the front desk. The person at the front desk came in and said that since the pilot light to the fireplace was lit, and it was the only gas source in the room, he could assure us there was not a gas leak. OK, so where's the smell coming from? He didn't know and didn't care, see ya. We called him back in a few minutes later, along with another worker. They were sure there was not a leak. They turned off the pilot to the fireplace just to make us feel better. We called them back yet again a few minutes later insisting they check for leaks. They were rude and annoyed. John told him to stick his head in the fireplace and tell him it didn't wreak of gas. They finally admitted they could smell something, but they knew it was not gas. grrr. Finally John talked him into spraying soapy water along the tube coming from the wall to the fireplace. Immediately it was bubbling like crazy, but the worker pretended not to see it. John made him spray it again, and he finally admitted there was a leak there. He offered us the room next door for one night, and he was going to have a worker look at the leak in the morning, but NO we could not switch condos for the rest of our time there. I really did not feel like hanging out in the gas-filled room for the rest of the week, hoping not to explode. So, we just came home. Why tempt the curse?

Instead, we came home and went to the aquarium - a place guaranteed to please the kids.

After a couple hours poking all the marine life, the kids were totally over Park City. And I am also totally over Park City.

If you don't believe me, I've got a free timeshare for you.

Thanksgiving and More

Shortly before Thanksgiving, Matthew lost his tooth. He looks so much older without it! I cannot stop staring at his new smile. I miss the cute little baby teeth, but he is adorable without his tooth!

I made his toothfairy pillow just in time - he would not have been happy if he had to use Kylie's pink one again :) The toothfairy brought $2 in exchange for his perfect little tooth.

For Thanksgiving we headed South to spend a few days with my family. Here are all the crazy cousins hanging out in the basement.

Is it just me, or do Kylie and Harper look like sisters? Watch out Autumn - I could totally pass her off as my own :) Kylie followed Harper around the entire time we were there, she couldn't get enough of her.

Little addicts - Atticus and Matthew sneaking in some DS time.

We had our annual white elephant exchange - always fun. April is the proud owner of a rooster cookie jar.

After Thanksgiving, we had a baby shower for my very pregnant (having her baby on Tuesday!) sister, Alli.

The little girls offered to rub her swollen feet for her. So sweet.

Thanks Mom & Dad for another great Thanksgiving!