Rough weekend and some unexpect GREAT NEWS!!

The rough weekend part first. On Saturday one of Braden's nice porcelain caps fell out.:-( Bummer and even worse it was his actual tooth that broke off so there wasn't enough there to put it back on. So this morning we had to go have what was left of the tooth pulled. To make matters worse Braden's allergies were in full force yesterday and today. His drainage was so bad last nite neither he nor I got any sleep. Wouldn't you know that because of all Braden's past medical stuff they weren't comfortable giving him happy gas. Wouldn't you know the poor kid had to have several shots in his gums. Wouldn't you know the dang root of his tooth was longer than usual and it took much more than just a simple yank to get it out. Wouldn't you know Braden in true Braden form handled everything like a trooper and some how managed to survive it all. I have never had anything done to my teeth. I have never even had a cavity. So watching Braden have that tooth pulled was brutal. Especially with no sleep. We are truly blessed that Braden can handle things and is so strong. It really helps us to keep it together. He is such an amazing boy.

So now for the GREAT NEWS!!! I just found out that Braden's biopsy results show NO MORE BACTERIA. I really had myself set up for more treatments. I'm not sure what other pieces if any need to fall into place but it's looking good right now for Braden to get his trach reversal surgery. It's hard to think it's on just from this good news. But I hope and pray that it is and we can finally get on with this chapter of Braden's life.

Hopefully later on in the week I can get some new pics posted. On Friday Floy and I went to two kids consignments. We actually found an outdoor play set for Braden. He figured out how to swing on it immediately. He is a little apprehensive about the slide. But I think he will adjust. It's too bad he doesn't have any other kids his age to show him how it's done. Oh well maybe soon. Maybe even this Spring. We can only HOPE.

The Zoo

I decided it was a nice enough day to go to the Zoo. Braden was bouncing off the walls with energy and Grayson loves to go places. We had a really nice time and both the boys deserve to have a little fun. Especially if Braden has his surgery soon. That time will be hard on both of the boys just in different ways.

Grayson got tired and fell asleep half way through but I think he enjoyed himself. Braden did a good bit of walking and seemed to enjoy the animals more this time than last. In the photos by the alligator exhibit they had a huge fan. Thats why Braden is sticking his tongue out. I think he thought that would help him cool off.:-)

Todays procedure

We are back home. Braden's biopsy and dental surgery went well. Braden actually only had 6 teeth capped and also had 4 root canals. Much to our amazement he recovered quicker than ever from anesthesia. He did have a little stomach upset but otherwise he is fine. In fact, he hasn't went to sleep since we have been home. Even after giving him his prescribed Tylenol with Codeine he is wired. He is so tough it's unreal sometimes. Biopsy results won't be in till next week. Dr. said Braden's lungs did look like they had improved so maybe we will get good news.

Wednesday

Hello everyone... this is just a quick reminder that Wednesday is Braden's biopsy and dental procedure. Please keep him in your prayers. I'll let you know when we get the results of his biopsy.

Here are some pics I tried to post over the weekend. Blogger was having issues and wouldn't let me add them.

A non-traditional post

Ok so most of the time I am posting about the kids. But today I wanted to post something about me. I have stumbled across an opportunity that can make a little money but mostly just give me some people time. Being at home almost 24/7 can be very isolating. Especially when I've been doing it for the past 2 1/2 years. So I'd like to see how many people may be interested in Scentsy Wickless Candles? If I get enough responses I will sign up to be a consultant. Here are Scentsy's main selling points. Its a lot safer than a traditional candle. Scentsy is a wax warmer with a low wattage light bulb that does not heat the wax above normal body temperature. So it is not a fire hazard and it can't burn your child. For more information on the fire safety go to their safety blog at http://www.safecandlesbyscentsy.com/.
The wax does not evaporate into the air. So it's safe to use in offices and dorms. The wax cubes are reusable and they have over 80 scents to choose from. They are very reasonably priced. You can purchase a warmer with one scent at a cost between $20-40 (does not include shipping and tax). To view their website go to http://www.scentsy.net/. If I sign up as a consultant I will have my own website and you can order directly from it. So even if your not local you can still purchase off my web page. So with that said if you are interested please contact me. You can either message me on Facebook or email me at nnyL1806@yahoo.com. Also, if you are interested in a one time purchase I am taking orders that will be submitted thru a friend who is already a consultant. I will have sample scents in sometime next week. So if your eager to get something soon let me know that too and I'll give you the details on how to place your order.

Thanks everyone!!!
Steph

New foods and reflux

Grayson is a chatty little one and it is so wonderful to listen to him. It's so different to hear your baby's voice when your toddler cannot speak. Grayson has had some really rough days with reflux. It's official now that our pediatrician agrees with that diagnosis and has put him on meds.. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks we will see a big improvement.

Braden has had a few mishaps lately including yesterdays fat lip from falling during his PT session. He also fell out of bed last nite. This was also a first. But he did not get injured thankfully. Today during therapy Braden tried his first Vege burger. It has the consistancy of stuffing so he seemed to really like it. So glad because sweet potatoes was about the only vegetable he would eat. Not to mention the calories in veges are too low. But the vege burgers have 170 calories so it's a great option. It has been so stressful always worrying about calories and what Braden will eat. I am so glad we finally found such a wide variety of foods for him. Now I can just heat and serve without worrying about the calories and if he'll eat it. I still have to have tons of patients during dinner time. Braden takes at least 45 minutes to eat if not longer. I am still feeding him. I haven't attempted to work with him on self feeding because I know he won't eat enough. I figure there will be plenty of time for that after he is done with the trach.

I have been trying so hard to get new videos of Braden walking and Grayson chatting. I have yet to get them to cooperate. I am determined though and am very hopeful to get something posted soon.

NICU party

This weekend was the annual NICU party at Baptist. Braden and Grayson both had a blast. Braden was thrilled to see all the people and especially the other kids. He even got down several times and walked longer distances than we've seen at home. We didn't get the camera out till close to the end. The place was so crowded and it was a little difficult to get with everyone. So we did pretty good on getting photos with several of Braden's Doctor's, nurses and one of his Respiratory Therapists. It is so great that they do this every year. It's so rewarding to show the staff how much Braden has grown and how far he has come. We are so thankful for all of them and everything they did for our family.

BK Nuggets

So I have been really reluctant about feeding Braden junk until now. :-( He gets Stouffers meal which aren't terrible but the sodium content is really high, but that's what he will eat. So tonite we had Burger King and Braden had his first kids meal. Wouldn't you know he ate the chicken nuggets. He can't eat meat but he can eat a chicken nugget. lol I cut one up in small pcs and dipped them in ketchup. He did great... a few gagging moments but that was only when he got lazy and wouldn't chew his food. So one nugget cut up looks like a lot of food. He only ate 1 and 1/2 but I am pleased he is trying new things.

The boys and this week

This week has been good. Grayson is really starting to do well with holding his head and pushing alot with his feet. He can even sit in his bumbo seat for short periods of time. He is talking up a storm and is super smiley. We are still seeing a lot of spit up from him and he does have screaming fits at times. He is also covered in spit up some days more than others. :-( Our pediatrician says unless he starts loosing weight they really can't do anything for him.

Braden is taking more steps and is walking short distances. He is eating with us every nite at the dinner table. Which is hard for me because it takes sooo long but at least I'm not eating cold dinners anymore. :-) Poor little Grayson doesn't always get Mommy for feeding time. Half the time he and Braden are on the same schedule so I have to set Grayson in the boppy for his bottle. He doesn't seem to mind and usually I get to hold him for the last few ounces. Depends on how well Braden is eating. I can hardly wait till Braden shows an interest in self feeding. However, I worry he won't eat as well as when I feed him. Braden will finish his TOBI treatments on Thursday morning. I think we are both ready to be done with it. It takes a good 30 minutes and Braden has been getting really restless over it. Fortunately, he has done well now that we have started the Your Baby can Read DVD's again.

This weekend we visit all of our old NICU friends. Hopefully, we will have some good pics to share.

Braden's first to go meal

So tonite Braden ate his first to go meal. It was to go because we never eat at restaurants anymore. :-( He had a Wilbur meal from Famous Dave's. The goal now is to order something every evening for Braden from where ever we eat and hopefully he will eat dinner with us every nite. That is if Grayson gives us a little help with that plan.

Today's pics

Update on Boys

This past Friday Grayson had his 2 month check up at the peds office. It went really well. He is now 10 lbs 4 ozs and 21 and 3/4 inches. Poor little guy had to get three shots. :-( He didn't like it but he recovered fairly quickly. Braden looked a little concerned this time.

Braden is doing fantastic. He is taking anywhere from 2 to 6 steps at a time. Has stood up from the bear stance a few times and continues to progress towards walking. He is also doing really well eating. I think I finely have a good variety of regular foods to get him completely off the baby food. He eats spaghetti, oatmeal, yogurt, bananas, simply fruit jelly, peanut butter, apple sauce, Stouffers mac n cheese, Bushes baked beans, scrambled eggs and gravy, muffins, sweet potatoes, Gerber Graduate cereal bars, and lasagna. All have to be either crumbled up or mashed with a fork and some things have to be mixed together but it's progress. I am super happy with him just eating table foods. He can't eat meat. It's too hard and he tends not to chew his food like he should which isn't good when it comes to meat. So to avoid gagging we just don't do meat at all. Even in the food processor it just isn't good. Maybe after he gets his teeth fixed we can try again.

We have a date for Braden's biopsy and dental procedure. It will be August 25th. I'm not sure when the results of the biopsy will come back. It'll most likely take a week. Then we will know if he is ready for next steps.