Orange Crocs, A Car Wash and Train Parks

The car was over due for a car wash. It never rain's in Phoenix however the dust makes up for it when it come's to needing a car wash, but somehow it still takes me a few months to give the ole car a good bath. Usually, the boys and I venture our way over to the local car wash, but on Saturday I thought it might be fun to have the boys help me do a little scrubbing. I used to love washing our family van when I was younger, the bubbles, the hose and a wash rag war with my siblings. So fun!

It was 72 degree's that day, so we rolled up our jeans, put on our flip flops and got to work. When Ethan was about 2 years old, he used to wear a pair of bright orange Crocs. I remember him wanting to wear them everywhere, to the park, grocery store, church and even sometime's he would try and wear them to bed.
I was delighted to discover that Emmett's adorable little feet were able to fit into his older brother's used to be Crocs.

Mr Emmett blowing kisses

 My good little helper

 This picture is my favorite... Hard a work

 Ethan loved using the hose to spray the car... his little brother and his mommy.

 Busy

Emmett and Ethan's aunt Lizzie and cousin Benny came into town. It was a beautiful day out and we traveled over to a train park. Ethan really enjoy's train's. Thomas the Train is a big hit in our house hold.

Ethan, Benny,  aunt Liz, Grandpa, uncle Scott and I preparing for the train ride

  Grandma, Benny and Uncle Scott watching the train

A week later, Ethan's wonderful preschool teacher, planned for his class to attend different train park.

I love watching him interact with all his pal's at school. Amazing how fast they grow.

Toy Story 3 on Ice

This past year Ethan has taken the back seat when it come's to getting his Mom and Dad's attention. Now that we are home and Emmett is thriving, Michael and I are trying to spend some much needed quality time with Ethan. We have set aside Thursday Night's as Ethan, Mommy and Daddy date nights.

 Not every date night with Ethan will be this exstavagant, but thanks to our wonderful friend Wendy P. we were able to take Ethan and a few of our friends to Toy Story 3 on Ice.

Toy Story is one of my boy's favorite movies!

 Ethan's pal Chas and his mom Amy.

 Brandy and her daughter Blaire. Brandy and Amy are two of my many amazing friends I have been blessed to have in my life. Both of them kindly help take care of Ethan, when I am with Emmett in the hospital. Thank you ladies.

What a wonderful night we had with our friends. As you can see the kiddo's were worn out by the end. Sign of a good time!

Emmett enjoyed an evening playing with his Grandma and Grandpa!

A Day at the Park

Saturday we went on an adventure to the park as a family. I think it has been 8 months since Emmett has really been able to go and enjoy playing at the park. Ethan rode his bike while Emmett cruisedaround in his little red wagon. The day was perfect! We fed the ducks, watched the train go by and met a few cute little puppies along the walking trail.

Ethan and Michael started a soccer game. Emmett helped make a few passes now and then. Life is great!

Polar Express!

Choo choo! All Aboard the Polar Express!

Thanks to Kelley Bolender, Phoenix Children's Hospital and the Polar Express , Michael, Ethan and I were about to take an exciting day trip up to Williams Arizona to ride on the Majical Polar Express Train.

We started the day by helping Emmett get settle for his special time with Grandma and Grandpa. Unfortunately, due to the high elevation of the city of Williams which is located in the mountains and Emmett's fragile lungs, Emmett was not able to attend the train ride this year. He had a blast however with his Grandparent's.

After giving Emmett kisses and Hugs we ventured up to Flagstaff Arizona. Flagstaff is about 30miles from Williams. Ethan, Michael and I met up with my sister Janae and my neice Ella for lunch at the Wildflower Bread Co. Delicious!

We then made our treck out to Williams to check in to the train station. It was wonderful to be able to spend a special day with Ethan. I think he really enjoyed having a special day with his Mommy and Daddy. Ethan was so excited to be able to go to the North Pole and to see Santa.

The Polar Exress experience was amazing! We sang Christmas carol's, ate special snicker doodle cookies made by Mrs Clause herself and washed it down with a cup of delicious hot chocolate. The "cooks" on board read the story of the Polar Express. We then were able to view the real Santa Clause sitting in his sleigh at the real North Pole through the train window.

Ethan in his pajama's full of exitement.

At the end a special visitor, aka Santa, came on board and handed each of the children a bell. Santa handed Ethan a bell and asked him to give the 2nd one to his little beother Emmett.

2012

2012 has been wonderful so far...Even if it is only 4 days into the year.

We are enjoying being home as a family. I made dinner last night and I was so excited I had to share it with you all. Thanks to my wonderful sister Janae and my Mom who gave me this decious healthy pizza recipe. Yum!

Emmett used his strong muscles to help me put the Christmas decorations away. It is so bitter sweet. I LOVE Christmas and all of its decoration, however I can't wait to get the clutter out of my home.

Ethan is my big boy helper, everyother day he helps by watering the plants in my flower pots.

Having Emmett home, come's with a lot of medical equipment. I was feeling overwhelmed as box after box arrived at our door. Where the heck was I going to put all of this??? Thankfully Emmett has two amazing nurses that help us out at home. Between the two of them they cover 5 nights out of the week. I think they could tell I was on the edge of going crazy, so they kindly helped me organize his room. Thank you Ladies.

Emmett giving you all a tour of  his hospital... I mean room.

 Emmett has been so lovely to have at home. He and Ethan have so much fun together. Ethan love's to be my little helper. The other day I heard Ethan say to Emmett, "Its okay Doc, big brother's can help". So sweet!

Life at home as a family for Christmas

Christmas was a dream! Christmas Eve the boys came into our bed early in the morning to snuggle. The joy in both the boys voices brought warmth to my heart. Ethan said in a high pitched tone, "we are a family now". Oh, sweet boy!

Christmas Eve night, we quickly tucked the boys into bed, after returning home from a traditional and joyful night filled with a yummy dinner, caroling and the reading of Christ's birth.  Michael and I reminded the boys that they needed to fall asleep quickly so Santa would have a enough time to come. Ethan made sure to leave out a snack for the Rudolf.

Sunday morning, the boys woke to a Christmas tree trimmed with gifts accompanied by the stockings. They both opened the gift's that were left in the stocking and then we quickly rushed to get into our Sunday best to attend Church. Over the past year Michael and I have not been able to attend church together. Emmett is not able to go out to public events or locations to protect him from catching a virus or infection. My sweet and amazing Mother offered to stay at home with Emmett so Michael, Ethan and I could all attend church together. That was a nice gift. The music was beautiful and I could feel the love and warmth of the Holy Spirit strongly.

After church we returned to open gifts and watch our boys eyes fill with excitement and joy. I LOVE Christmas. Michael then ventured off with Ethan to his side of the family, Christmas dinner.  Emmett and I stayed home and snuggled reading books and exploring his new trucks and lego's.

Emmett is such a joy to be around. The Trach has enabled him to breath with much more ease. He does not require any more oxygen support. Which releave's a large portion of my anxiety and stress. He run's around the house like any other two year old. He is exploring the world around him by digging in the rocks, wrestling with his brother, teasing and interactning playfully with others. This is the Emmett I new before his accident a year ago. Our God is good!

Emmett is on a ventilator at night. This is used to allow his body to be able to fully rest at night. The ventilator will also help his lungs to expand like they should. This will enable them to grow. Emmett is already gaining weight. His face is filling out and when I scoop him up to give him "loves" I can feel the difference in his body weight.

Ethan is my special helper. We walk a thin line and try to be cautious, as you could imagine, Ethan fight for attention. This is a battle that I know many mom's can relate too. It tears my heart to thinkg of all that Ethan has been through this past year and more. He is a super trooper and I am so proud of how much he has bravely endured. Family and friends have been terrific in helping him feel loved and special too.

We will forever be thankful for those special angel's in our lives who helped make our Christmas possible in so many way's. I hope they feel and know our deepest gratitude we send and feel towards them. Thank you!

Thank you all for the faith and prayer's in Emmett and our families behalf. We all witnessed a Christmas miracle.

Go Emmett, Go!

Emmett and his new Trach

Thank you everyone for praying for Emmett and for his Surgeon. The surgery went real well. Michael and I were informed that it may take a while for Emmett to get used to breathing through the Trach and he would need an attachment called a Passy Muir to be able to learn how to speak. 

After an hour and a half post surgery, Emmett was up and playing and speaking with out the attachment. Amazing! Today he did not require oxygen support which he relied on to breath the past 6 months. He has beautiful pink cheeks and for the first time since Emmett's accident a year ago, his chest and neck do not retracted when he breathes. He is one happy camper so far. I know it will not be all bliss... I am just grateful for a good start. This was a very difficult decision to make. We are so grateful for the guidance of our loving Father in Heaven who helped us make this decision. We are so grateful for all of the faith and prayers that were sent to help Emmett and our family. We have been so blessed. It was what Emmett needed.

I loved reading all of the comment's from all the pro Trach parent's. Thank you for your kind words and positive attitudes. We know a beautiful little girl who had a Trach. She was Emmett's pal in the NICU. She and he family have always been an inspiration to our family. Her Trach is out now! It is amazing how resilient children are. 

Having a child with a Trach, we are learning, comes with lot's of training. Emmett will be on a Trach ventilator at night. This will require him to have nursing care every night at home. We are  learning how to suction properly, along with taking a CPR and Trach CPR classes. Emmett will be in the hospital for a minimal of 9 more days. We HOPE to be home for Christmas. We are not certain of this yet, day by day. 

Phoenix Children's Hospital does an amazing job bringing the Christmas spirit to the children and families. We are so grateful for the wonderful, terrific and loving staff in the PICU. I can't say enough about the Physicians, NP's, RN's, Respiratory Therapists and Child Life Specialist among many other's specialists. They all love Emmett. Michael and I truly consider them family whether they like it or not:) 

Here is a video of Emmett 2 1/2 hours post surgery. Enjoy!

Ethan wanted to write you all a note:):

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-ethan 4