Zack Speaks Post-Tonsils

10.4.12 - Goodbye Tonsils

Mommy and Zackery left for Phoenix Children's Hospital at 5:45 a.m. to check in by 6:15 a.m.  Zackery was just excited that he didn't have to go to school.  When we arrived, he was hesitant to put on his hospital clothes, but soon calmed when he got to play with the itouch and go to the  toy room.  He played a game of Chutes and Ladders with Mom and another pre-op child.  He also attempted Operation.  By 7:30 a.m., the male nurse summoned us back to our room, where they gave him some liquid sedation to take him down.  Within 15 minutes, Zackery was acting goofy and could hardly keep his heavy eyelids open.  He attempted many times to lift his head up and he tried to grab the bars on the bed to lift himself up, but the medicine won. I had to keep reminding him to just lie down.  Around 8:00 a.m. Daddy got to the hospital.  Dad had made sure Layla got on the school bus okay.  At 8:15 a.m. the anesthelogist came and wheeled Zackery away.

 

Even though the surgery was considered minor, we were still so worried as parents do. However, 30 minutes later, the doctor/surgeon had come out to tell us the tonsils were gone and Zackery did wonderful! We began our wait to see if he could go home. The doctor was considering an overnight stay just in case (due to Zackery's medical history). We got to go wait with him in his curtained post-op room, as he snored his last snores. The nurses let him sleep the anesthesia off and soon started trying to wake him up. He was tired. But he drank some apple juice for us and ate an orange popsicle.  He also managed to smile for us when we took pictures and quickly off to dreamland he went.  We waited for about 3 hours before Zack finally decided to get up and breathe well enough for the nurses and doctor to feel comfortable.  By 1:00 p.m., we were driving into our driveway at home.  He slept the rest of the day, which was probably good for him so that he didn't have to feel any pain.  He's still amazes us with his strength. 

 

Back to School

August 6-7: The kids' auntie Shawna came and watched Layla and Zackery while Mom and Dad were working.  They really enjoyed their time with Shawna, who surprised us by running a tight ship while we were working.  I'm glad she came and helped us out.  It was our pleasure to have her with us.  Somewhere in this process, Layla became a One Direction fan.  There were lots of Fan Signs laying around her room.

August 8: First Day of School for my 4th Grader (gasp!) and my Kindergartener (double gasp!)
Layla went willingly and excitedly.  Zackery, on the other hand, was anxious and angry.  The morning to get him ready was a horrific event.  Nonetheless, he begrudingly got there.  Come dismissal time, his attitude had changed and was looking forward to a new day at school.  Since it was a difficult morning, no cute pictures were taken.  What I eventually got was a 2nd day of school pic!  I'm just glad his attitude has changed and they both enjoy school.  Mornings are still a bit difficult, but I blame myself.  They inherited the "not-a-morning-person" gene from me.

So summer is over!  Everyone's back to work and back to school! :/

First Week of August Flashback

August brought many changes in our lives.  So many changes that busyness clouded mom's ability to post.  Here is my attempt to fill in the blanks.

August 1-3: Layla and Zack were enjoying time at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Their trip included time at the lake for fishing.  Their first time ever!  According to the reports, Zackery enjoyed throwing rocks in the lake and was very curious by the caught fish.  Layla was terrified, once she figured out how slimy the fish were and didn't go near the lake, but stayed on the sandy banks.

August 3-5: TsinSiKaadnii/Kii'yaa'aanii Family Reunion Time in Iyanbito, NM - Mom, Layla and Zackery went back to Iyanbito, NM for our family reunion.  We all had a great time.  The kids played in the ditch, slid down the red sandy hills, and got extremely dirty.  Mom enjoyed visiting with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents that came out.  She thoroughly enjoyed playing volleyball all day, laughing, and even walking in the 5K.  We're so blessed that our family organizes this event annually.  It was just what our souls needed before work and school started.  Where was Dad?  He was in Mesa; working hard as it was a weekend he had to work.

As Luck Should Have It

Today, I decided that instead of showering and jumping into my 3rd set of PJ's, I would get myself showered and take the kids out of the house. They've been ever so patient with me being lazy around the house this week, I rewarded them with a trip to the city library. When we arrived, the designated event hadn't started (some dog show) so we looked around and found the area for the city culture passes. As luck should have it, there was a pass for the Phoenix Zoo that allowed for 2 free admission. Layla was so excited, she jumped at the chance to check them out and take her mom and brother to the zoo. There were huge clouds covering the sky and it seemed like a great idea to venture off to the zoo. Although, it was HOT and HUMID, we had a joyful day! :)

Zackery and Layla checking out the elephant.

Elephant Close-Up

Some cool animals we got an up close and personal view of

Zack: Can we get in the water?

Finally, after many failed attempts, Layla sees the Andean Bear

Zack: Look Mom! A beautiful leaf!

Layla:  Look I can drive!

Some much needed water relief, after 45 minutes of walking

Layla: Eww, I'm digging in the Komodo dragon's nose!

I didn't notice until he was running around, that his swimming trunks were on backwards.

R-E-L-I-E-F!

Having a great time in the water

The giraffes in the "savannah"

Zackery: Look! The giraffes!

The only animals who looked like they were okay with the heat today.

Still smiling after surviving the Phoenix Zoo

Self-Portrait

Layla captured Layla with colored markers on 7.10.12

Guilty as Charged

Crime:  Breaking three different Wii games by scratching them beyond repair

Sentence:  Zackery cannot play the Wii game for three whole days.

The news was just too hard for him to handle and tears came streaming down his face.  It was the fairest sentence for a 4-year-old to comprehend.  In the end, he wanted to hug it out and went into his room and fell asleep.  Tough life lesson for this guy.