Cabinets and Haircuts

Yesterday, Jamie and I began installing knobs and handles on our kitchen cabinets and drawers. We got all the hardware we needed FOR FREE. We found it in the dumpster at a construction site. Just kidding. Inside joke. Jamie actually got everything at good old Costco. Anywho...so the knobs were fairly easy to install, but we found we need longer screws for the drawer handles. Either that or a drill bit that will make part of the hole bigger so we can get the screw in further. Other than this cabinet over the stove, we thought we did a pretty bang up job.

I'm turning into quite the handyman. Riiiight.

Oops! The screw came in at an angle and split some of the wood. We still put the knob on, but its a little crooked, so we'll have to fix this one.
Close up of a finished pair.

They certainly add a nice touch to the kitchen.

Earlier in the week, Jamie took the girls to get a haircut. The next day, Jamie played stylist/make-up artist with Kaylin. Kaylin loved it so much, she cried when her hair got messed up from her nap and made Jamie redo it.

Post-Surgery Thoughts

It's hard to believe that it's been two weeks already since Tyler had his surgery. Although, time also seems to go by slooooow now that he's not sleeping through the night and more fussy than before. We suppose he's trying to get back in the swing of things. We have to give him a lot more attention than a "normal" baby, which means you don't get to enjoy as many blog posts. We are tired!

However, we also feel very blessed. Everything has gone as well or better than we could have imagined. We have also had so many people help us in different ways. We greatly appreciate everything. The Lord has truly blessed our family. We know that His hand is in all things. Jamie found this picture on another blog that really expresses how we feel.

We also wanted to share this video of Tyler that Jamie took today on the digital camera. Such a cute little guy when he's not crying (but even that is kind of cute).



There's a lot more things we'd like to share - ventures in the mountains, trips to the Highland water fountain park and Raging Waters, hanging out with our folks. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures. Sort of reminds me of the Weird Al song where they go see the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota and the dude steals the family camera. Just like that family, "at least we have our memories."

Congrats to cousin Angela on her new addition! Can't wait to see the pics of little Addyson.

On a sad note, we offer our condolences and prayers to the Hall family back in Ridgecrest for the passing of Sister Hall. I've known her for as long as I can remember. She was a great person and I know she is in our Father in Heaven's rest now.

Tyler is home

He came home Monday, but I've been too busy with work to post. The other kids are with their grandparents, which has helped as Tyler still needs a lot more attention than usual. I don't know where the camera is right now, but I'll try to post some pictures later tonight or tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers on Tyler's behalf. I have no doubt that they have been heard.

Out of the ICU

Tyler was moved to the main floor today. I'm here at the hospital with him, so I don't have any pictures. He's doing really well. No more constant lines in him - just monitors and a couple of IV inserts to be used as needed. They haven't told us yet how much longer they expect him to be here, but I can't imagine it being more than a few days.

Pics of Tyler

Here he is yesterday. Poor little guy didn't know what he was getting into today.


They gave him some cozy p.j.s when he got to the hospital this morning.As sad as this looks, if you go back to our pics from the last surgery, this isn't nearly as bad. He has the breathing tube out now and is getting oxygen through his nasal cannule (spelling?).
You can tell his color is a lot better.

Update on Tyler

Tyler had his surgery today. Everything went very well. The surgeon was very pleased. They tried to take his breathing tube out shortly after we were able to see him. Unfortunately, he was still drugged up and they quickly found he needed the extra breathing assistance. They'll try again later as he starts waking up today or early tomorrow.

He looks pretty good, but swollen - especially in head and arms. The rerouting of the arteries created more pressure in the upper body, so that will take some time for him to get use to. He should look better in a couple of weeks. His extremities have a lot more color than prior to the surgery and we're hopeful that he won't need to be on oxygen at all by the time he comes home.

We have pics, but we're still at the hospital and don't have the cable to upload them. As soon as we can, I'll post some.

July 29th

The hospital called today and set Tyler's second surgery for July 29th. The procedure is called the Bi-directional Glenn or hemi-Fontan Procedure. Click here if you want to get the lowdown on exactly what will be done. Essentially, it

"involves redirecting oxygen-poor blood from the top of the body to the lungs. That is, the pulmonary arteries are disconnected from their existing blood supply (e.g. a shunt created during a Norwood procedure, a patent ductus arteriosus, etc). The superior vena cava (SVC), which carries blood returning from the upper body, is disconnected from the heart and instead redirected into the pulmonary arteries. The inferior vena cava (IVC), which carries blood returning from the lower body, continues to connect to the heart."

It's pretty amazing they can do this sort of thing. After this surgery, he'll go another couple of years or so before his last surgery (not counting a potential heart transplant some day).

Barring any complications, he should be in the hospital less than two weeks. He's been a tough little guy so far, so we don't expect him to be in recovery more than a week. At least, I don't. Jamie might have a different opinion.