It went just like that!

I have so much to be thankful for... I just wanted to say that. 

Asher will be 2 months tomorrow. These days I just blink and my kids have changed. He is already wearing 3-6 months clothes. Tomorrow he goes in for his welll check and I am curious to see how big he is. Asher takes gaining weight and eating very seriously. He is kind of my fussy little guy. I think he wants to make himself known and not forgotten number five.  He is so loved and a great snuggler. And boy can this dude belch. That is probably why he fusses. Darn gassy tummy.  

He is smiling a little now and pretty soon here, I am sure we will hear him laughing at all the crazy things his big brother and sisters do.

He really is a sweet little guy. 

I either don't get anything done... Or I put him down and risk waking up this sweet face.

MayLee is officially potty trained. We visit every potty, at every place we go, multiple times in fact. She is deathly afraid of the potty at the blue park. The darn thing flushes all by itself and its incredibly loud. She flew off of it and refused to go. There was a Honey Bucket across the street which was just as bad. She has bathroom OCD... There can't be tp on th floor, nor any remnants in the potty, it can't even smell bad or she flips out. We have to have the scrubber near at home in order to keep her potty clean and ready for her. She could be the bathroom inspector.

Eden has been a champ getting her teeth fixed and promising to brush away all the cavity bugs.

She keeps us laughing.

Biggest news of ALL!!! She learned how to ride a two wheeler. Her bicycle loving daddy couldn't be more proud. She has had a few spills but gets back up and does it again. She must have it in her blood, and a daddy with all the right teaching techniques.

It always amazes me how fast kids can pick it up. Just four years old and has it down. I think the biggest motivation was a pair of fingerless bike riding gloves she wants. I told her once she got it down we would go pick out a pair. I guess I am going to the store tomorrow to find some.

Gator finally had his friend birthday party. Papa Clawson brought his screen/eqiuipment and we watched "Home" with so many treats and popcorn we were all sick. It was a riot. I hadn't ever seen the movie before this night and I bought it hoping it was a good one. It is darling!!!! Thanks Papa and Gram  for making this such a fun birthday. Thanks friends for the nice gifts you gave him. We are richly blessed. 

Ry is my right hand lady. She will be a fantastic babysitter. She can even change a poopy diaper on a wiggly baby brother. (Those guys are hard, on account that they have a shooter that can spray fire hose status) I am super lucky to have her around. I don't think she is pumped about tracking off this Friday because she loves school so much.. I know, I know... she loves school.. What the what??? 

Our dear friends the Englands came into town for a visit. They even made it to Asher's blessing. We soaked up what time with them we could.

I don't have any awesome pictures of self... I do have my insides from my colonoscopy. I don't think I should share. I have heard pretty much every bum joke lately. I also told the doctor I probably had the cutest bum he had seen all day. Yup that's right. I also said a few other choice things while waking up from the anesthesia, however, I choose not to say them again. I went to the doctor yesterday for follow up. The biopsies they took came back clean (good thing because bum cancer isn't even the cute color. No pink ribbons... No cancer is cute BTW, I just didn't know what the awareness color was.. I thought perhaps brown, which didn't sound as cute as pink) I also don't have Crohn's disease. Apperantly a colonoscopy cannot go very far into the ilium or small intestine. This is were I was having the pain and also were the CT showed inflamation and abnormalities. So I did a blood test that is a little more intense which will give a better clue. If it doesn't show us what we want, then I get to do another test were I swallow a pill camera. I just hope I don't have to do a prep again. That my friends, is not fun. Especially with a nursing baby and a two year old... I dashed to the bathroom in the middle of a nursing session.. laid baby on the floor in the bathroom to save him from his sisters, who believe that he should be bathed in kisses. Close on my heals was MayLee who proceeded to put her fingers under the door and ask if I could see them... and knock.... and try and unlock the door..... then put little toys under the door.... All the while Eden needs a treat, or a drink, or could I get her a new game on the ipod... I think if you have to go through the prep you should at least get to do it while the kids sleep. I also finished the steroids.. It's a good darn thing. I am pretty sure I could eat us out of house and home. Those things make you starve all the time. Instead of loosing baby weight I am putting it back on. There is absolutly no willpower too, my brain says you are not only hungry, you are starving to death. I did feel better on them. So I started a new medication that I really hope works.  Thank you friends that knew about my embarrassing bum issues and have helped me so much. Sheesh... You never appreciate something like a gut until it doesnt work great. 

Our extended family is absolutely incredible. I am so blown away by how generous and thoughtful they all are. My Grandma and Grandpa Groesbeck have an amazing legacy of good people. They have 9 children, tons of grandchildren and great grandchildren. I wish I knew exact numbers. We all absolutly adore them. Grandma and Grandpa make you think that you are their favorite. Just so we are clear, it IS me. There are many in our heart community who don't have a great support system. It breaks my heart because it is such a valuable and amazing thing to be cared for by so many. They all worry, hope and pray for us. Each year at the family reunion we hold an auction of items that have been handmade or put together with love. I look forward to going because the talent of my family is pretty incredible. Then the money goes toward a scholarship for all of the grandkids to use for school. The scholarship money has been carefuly set aside and there was money left over. Our dear family put it towards all of our medical bills. I know Heavenly Father heard my prayers when I asked Him about this very thing. My dad brought it to us on Asher's blessing day. I was so overwhelmed. Thank You Family... We love you all. 

Not to leave anyone out... Our bunny is doing great!!!

oh, I mean Jeff is doing great. He just celebrated his birthday... 

He tried to volunteer at the Tour of Utah, but his wife screwed it up and he missed his check in time. He did get to watch it from the sidelines and we watched clips on his app. It is like a very important game to him. He doesn't get worked up about other sports, but we were streaming it from his phone to the TV and a call came in which turned off the race and he was up out of the chair, trying to figure out what happened and yelling at the TV and the phone. Whew!!! It was comical to witness. I really enjoy watching it too. He is staying busy with work and calling. He spoke at the youth fireside this last Sunday. He did a great job. How he can get up there and speak without throwing up is amazing? I get so nervous. 

Alright... I can't promise anything, but hopefully I will do a little Asher post tomorrow...

Happy May May news

It's here FINALLY!!! The first day of school. Long awaited and so welcome for this momma. I am ready for the structure and age appropriate activities for Gator and letting the little girls play together. Ryleigh loves school and is always thrilled to go. Bless her for making it easy on me. As long as she has her new clothes and her perfect gear she feels ready, taken care of, loved and excited. I just can't believe she is in fifth grade. One more year until my life changes forever.. I will have a built in babysitter. And I pay really great! You need a new outfit? Awesome, daddy and I wanna go on a date, you want to go to the movies with your friends? Awesome, I wanna go on a ride. (one year *sigh*) 

Could we have found a more perfect backpack?? Turk-boys (turquoise) with Eiffel Towers, macaroons, and Vespas. 

 And Gator is seriously rocking his new kicks. They do make him run fast and jump high. Just in case anyone wanted to know. He tried them out, so I am aware of these features. 

Oh yeah!

He got made fun of today because he was so little.. But I said.. "Well you are little, and it's way better to be little than mean to others and make fun of people who are different". That seemed to make sense. 

He can totally rock his 5t shorts. And they are a little big on him:) 

Standing in line to go in. 

Look at this cute little guy in his new towel. Thanks Grandma!! 

Six weeks and wearing 3-6 months clothes.. He is growing like a weed. He is working mega hard to get big. It's very serious work. 

Yesterday MayLee had a CT of her lungs to help us see if she is improving. I took baby brother because, well, I am his groceries. 

We headed up to the main campus bright and early, checked in right in radiology and waited for a few minutes until May was called. Then she talked, sang and played until they put in her IV. 

She was not happy about it until the nurse brought in a huge treasure box and there happen to be Play Dough in there. 

She passed up a ballerina Barbie and a my little pony DVD for yellow and green play dough. She did fantastic. That is one of the fastest tests I have sat through. Like five minutes. Then when they were waking her up she was like a little slurred drunk. She kept saying "I was sooooooooo bbbbbrrrrraaaaavvveee"  she was cracking very nurse up. She was super happy and ate her Popsicle and then crackers. They wanted to keep her all day. 

The doctor called today to let us know the results. MayLee's lungs have significantly improved. She still has the ground glass opacities in her right upper lobe and middle lobe. Her left lobe looks clearer. She is still going to be on oxygen for a while. Until she can maintain her saturation level. BUT.... We are going in the right direction. Awesome right? I did figure out that I should get the smaller tanks and it has been so much nicer. 

And we will leave you tonight with this little milk drunk boy! 

Constantly

Each day he gets this kind of love!!! 

His face says it all. 

Pioneer Day, but happy 6 month heartiversary!

Gator had an amazing clinic visit on Thursday, blood panel looks good, echo looks great, feels awesome, looks like he is growing. We are so pleased with how well his health is. This means he gets to start school on Monday!! (Did you hear the chorus of Angel's signing?) I am so glad he gets to go back to being a typical boy. Plus also, as much as we love each other he will be thrilled to not be with mom 24/7 and since I have the new little buddy that has filled the spot I am thrilled to let him go. He is slightly nervous, we met with school staff last week as well. We updated everyone on his 504 and came up with a game plan. It was amazing to cross so much off of his 504 instead of add to it. I have meantally prepared for lots of adjustment tears, lots of this is hard, and lots of growth in him. But we Homies don't give up because something is hard. We don't have to be the best at it, we just have to try our best. 

Yesterday marked his 6 month heartiversary. I took a minute to thank our Heavenly Father for his amazing second chance at life. I also thanked Him for our donor family. How their hearts must still ache. I have my first draft of the thank you letter we will be sending them. I have written probably 12 letters. This letter will be the one I want to send. Daddy wants to add to it as well so that it truly comes from us all. 

The kids did a primary pioneer parade. It was also a water activity so they have their swimming suits on. 

Ry and Alex visited the dentist and Ortho.. Alex has a cavity to be filled. I am thrilled it's only one little one after the year of meds and other stuff going on in his mouth. Ry had her bands changes and since her teeth were growing over her wires she got four teeth pulled.

She painted this rad tooth box because our tooth fairy has had so many issues. It worked, the tooth fairy was able to retrieve her teeth and deposit the cash. 

The kids have been helping with dinners and clean up. But I thought these green and purple beans were super fun. When you cook them they go green. Such yummy fun. 

This is Asher hanging out, while me and Gator have breakfast after clinic. 

Plus... We are still having fun.. Thanks to the Zamoras for your friendship that allows us to hang out but also lets the kids swim.. 

Monday is going to be super exciting!! Hurray for school! 

#9months9tips medical momma version

Hurray!!! Asher is such a fun baby and his whole six weeks of yummy means we are snuggling and smooching on him constantly. The only down side is, he ends up smelling a little like kid breath from all the smooches his siblings deliver.

I was asked to share 9 tips about pregnancy from American Recall Center #9months9tips

While I am not an expert on pregnancy AT ALL. I have just had a baby, all the while Alex got his new heart and MayLee is still dealing with her NEHI and Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome. So I think it is only appropriate to suggest how we survived. Here you go!!! 

#1- Use your village- When they(who ever "they" are) say it takes a village to raise a child. It truly means a small village of friends, relatives, church members, school staff, medical staff, and even strangers who are willing to step up and help you. Most people want to do something tangible. LET THEM!!! If you feel stressed about having someone else wash and fold your undies..get over it, they wear undies too.

#2-Organize the madness- if you are a pregnant medical momma chances are you have tons of doctor appointments, therapies and regular life things. Get a planner of some sort and write it out. Take that little planner/bible with you everywhere. I planned meals a week in advance in mine just so I didn't have to think. I even wrote out when I assumed meds would need to be reordered so I could order when ready. MayLee is on oxygen and I have to make sure we have enough supplies on hand. I write down what supplies we like too, so I have everything in one handy spot. I love the Mormon mommy planner.. There is a version that doesn't have the scripture references and Mormon quotes for those not of that faith. I highly suggest it. I also am sort of obsessive about to do lists. That means I can see what needs to be accomplished and cross it off as it gets done. If you are a pregnant medical momma and don't make lists, try it, it will change your life. 

#3-Jot it down-in my fantastic planner, there is room for everything my pregnant brain can't think of. I even call it my brain on occasion. You will forget, possibly seconds later, so write it down. 

#4-Take a mommy time out- if you feel amazing during pregnancy.... that is super.....(lucky)! If not, and can't take time from doing meds or vitals or a feed.. Or the bed got fed instead of the kiddo... Schedule a time out. You need to rest. Even if it means you clean up later and snuggle someone while reading a book. A funny thing for me, a quick mental time out, a quick picture. People will not believe you survived and neither will you. 

#5-Find someone to vent to- I am pretty sure if there is something called prepartum depression I had a nasty case. I love the end result of pregnancy, I would do anything for my children. I am just one uncomfortable, short tempered lady. There were a couple of people who really understood that and let me talk to them. Then I would pull up my big girl panties and move forward. Venting may have saved me. Sometimes when we are under medical stress with our other kids, plus we don't feel well ourselves just telling someone alleviates the pressure of it all. 

#6-Every move of the baby or lack there of is a worry and it is valid to feel that way- I have had my world rocked nearly off its rocker more than once with my kids, plus I have been discouraged by miscarriage. I had a doctor say those feelings of worry are not abnormal. I could have hugged her. If those feelings did get a little out of control I would sit down and make a mental list of what I could and could not control. For some reason that helped. Some things are just out of our control. They aren't my fault, they are just going to happen no matter what. 

#7-Follow up with Maternal fetal medicine or your medical child's specialist- I know first hand that the medical world is expensive. I know that sometimes diagnostic test and procedures just aren't in the budget. But if a specialist suggested a test we found a way to foot the bill. With Asher, I saw MFM and we had a fetal echo. I wanted to be prepared, I also wanted to rejoice if he was developing perfectly. Each night before the tests I was a mess, but I was so relieved after each one. The amount of comfort was worth every penny. They can't catch everything, NEHI can't be diagnosed in utro, but knowing his heart looked good made me feel so much better. Take that list of questions with you too. There is currently a study that shows risks when using Zofran while pregnant. Many friends have asked if I was aware of the possible chance that it causes heart defects. I don't get as sick with my boys, so I didn't take it with Alex, but I did with my girls. I looked into this because I wanted confirmation that I didn't cause Alex's heart defect. I read almost every article I could online and then spoke to MFM. It seems that I couldn't have caused the defect. I would have liked this Zofran resource from the Recall center. It is just one more tool in my tool belt of knowledge. 

#8-Don't forget daddy-Dad's are working hard to make sure everyone is comfortable....with like a house, and food, and so you can take care of your kids medical issues. They really appreciate a play by play sometimes. There are lots of dads that get left out. I have done that on more than one occasion. Take a few minutes and teach them about meds and such so in a pinch they can help. Plus, they are usually the most willing to go get food or a special treat.  So call, text or write a love note while you are sitting at all those doctor appointments. 

#9- Rejoice in the child- I remember when I was pregnant with Eden, my number 3 baby. Before we knew her gender people would often ask what we were hoping for and I would say that I didn't care as long as the baby was healthy. Alex in his sweet little voice looked at me and said "but, I was sick did you still want me?" And the answer is YES. A million times yes. We wanted a baby. Being healthy sure has its perks and watching a little tiny baby hurt and be in pain isn't fair or fun. But every moment I have with my children is even that much sweeter. 

There must be more tips out there for medical moms who are expecting. If you have a great tip leave it in the comments.