Enjoying Florida Thus Far....

Here are a few current photos...

Tuskers vs. Sentinels

Sea World Orlando

Updated Title Page Photo

It was time to update our Title Page Photo.....

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CurrentWhat a difference 7 months makes!

1,000 Smiles Campaign

This may be one of the most rewarding opportunities you'll ever have to click on a link...

https://secure.operationsmile.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2680&2680.donation=form1

YOU MISSED THE LINK...YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO CLICK ON IT!!!

Here is the KSL link just in case you want to donate directly to PCMC:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6660703

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KSL Chanel 5 and Operation Smile have teamed up to make a huge impact:
"Every year hundreds of thousands of children are born into poverty with severe cleft lips and cleft palates. Many can’t eat, drink or speak properly. Some even die-all because their parents can’t afford surgery. KSL has joined forces with Operation Smile to rally the great people of the Salt Lake area and around the U.S. to change the lives of 1,000 of these children through the 1,000 Smiles Campaign. Please join us. Just $240 helps provide a life-changing surgery."


Living this experience for the last 4 months (plus 4 more while Nash was in the womb), I couldn't imagine the guilt, sorrow, pain, and failure I would feel if I couldn't provide these procedures for my child! Whether the reason be regional, financial, or just ignorance, the operations required to fix these ANGEL KISSES are in place and will give these children an opportunity to live a "normal" life. We've all been through those teenage years where maybe you were a little chubby, had a minor stutter (or if you're me you still do), fought the acne battle, lacked for coordination, couldn't afford the nicest clothes, wanted that popular kid to like you, etc.... Now imagine having to do that all over again and this time also having a cleft?!

If anyone wants to support please do! To much of a commitment? I will match your donation if you think so!!! This is a serious opportunity to help some of the most special kids around.

---Colby A.

Surgery #2 Post Opt Evaulation

Nash had his follow up evaluation with Dr. Morales on Wednesday (May 27th). Everything is looking very well! He applauded Ashley for her ability to keep the nasal stents clean. The stitch that held the stent in is not longer in place. Now we have to be creative...

I wonder if the "Breath Right" inventor was lucky enough to have a cleft child?

We are now able to take the stents in and out for cleaning purposes. Nash is supposed to wear them for another two months (end of July). He seems to do really well with the stents but hates to have them put back one once we've taken them out.

We often ask ourselves, "What will Nash look like once all this "stuff" is taken off his face..." Well now that we are able to take the stents out so here is a preview:

Yup, somebody is also getting chubby...and we love it!

Rees was lucky enough to get to spend the 27th with Grandma Bockwoldt and Tyce. They went to Park City then had to rush back to get Rees to swim lessons. Speaking of swim lessons, Rees just completed stage 1 of 5 for the course. She really enjoys herself and when the teacher say, "Jump through the hulla hoop into the pool!" Rees had no fear and just jumped. Ashley watched her go under the water and thought "Oh no, here we go." Rees popped right up out of the water and didn't bat an eye. She's as big of a stud (stud-et) as her little brother!!

This week was also her last week of Pre-school. She had a great year and is looking forward to the next. She'll pass the time this summer in a reading course at Weber State, continuing swim lessons and taking care of Nash. She already is excited for fall because that means she gets to go back to school and she knows that when school starts again so does SOCCER! We've got here signed up for the fall and spring league. Let the "taxi-cab days" of being a parent begin!

So in conclusion...WE'RE KEEPING BUSY & LIFE IS GOOD!

A FEW RECENT PHOTOS....

Rees showing off her artwork at school after her preschool program. She did a fabulous job singing and ringing the bells! Way to go Rees!!

Rees and Nash taking advantage of the wonderful spring day and going for a walk in the jogging stroller with Mom. We didn't think Nash would be old enough to go in this stroller, but he did a great job!

Weeeeee!!!

Nash showing off his new hat and new (completely true) shirt while Rees steals the spotlight with her beautiful little face!

Rees loves holding brother and he just loves when she isn't all up in his face! Cute Kids if you ask me!

One Week Post Opt

Kick, Kick, Kick

Its been a full week since Nash had his lip & nose repaired. The last couple of days he's done really well and is getting back to normal. His appetite has returned (if not increased) and we are back to using the Pigeon Nipple (which he seems to enjoy more then the Mead Johnson). He is completely off his pain medication and antibiotics. The stitches are supposed to dissolve within 7 - 10 days of surgery so we will really begin to see the lip continue to heal.

Rees is really enjoying having her brother home to torture! What else is a big sister good for?! She is finishing up the last month of pre-school and is registered for a 2 week (6 session) swimming class at the end of the month. She seems to be excited but really concerned they are going to make her dunk her head. Oh to be 3 years old again!

Nash will have the Logan's Bow on for another week or two before we go into visit Dr. Morales on the 27th of this month. Here is a picture of the little guy showing off his new smile!!

Lip / Nose Repair Is Complete!

DAY OF SURGERY AT HOME ENJOYING LIFE

Yesterday Nash went into surgery at 12 Noon to have his lip and nose cosmetically repaired. Dr. Morales also took out the prosthesis to clean and modify it due to Nash's growth. Everything with the surgery went very well! He is a whole new man!! Nash will have the Logan's Bow (metal contraption and tape) on 3-4 weeks. He'll have the nasal stints stitched in for a month then Dr. Morales will remove the stitch but we will need to continue to keep the stints in for a total of 3 months. Arm restraints are also required for much of this time.

The nurses tell us the first day is more about pain control then eating. Therefore he was given Morphine post-opt and did really well on it for about 6 hours. The nurses decided to give him another dose because of his pain symptoms and this time we had some hiccups. Nash's heart rate and O2 saturation levels were going up, down, up, down. Some of the dips were really drastic and required full oxygen and shaking him to "piss him off" and get his heart rate back up. We suspect the original dose of Morphine was not completely out of his system so they essentially gave him more on the second dose than he could handle. Because of the risk involved with these fluctuations, the doctors ordered he be given Narcon. Narcon is the reciprocal drug to Morphine / pain killers and completely wipes out their affects. The half life of this drug is one-hour so any pain killers given during that one-hour time frame would be ineffective. Dad had to kick all the ladies out of the room (nurses included) and have a heart to heart with the boy. He calmed down, ate 1/4 oz of pedialite and manned up! He's such a stud!!

POST-OPT 1 HOUR AFTER SURGERY

Day #2 (Friday) has gone really well. Nash has stabilized his heart rate and O2 sat levels. We still have a few scares here and there but he's able to recover without any oxygen put on him. Dad was able to "force feed" him about 1 oz. of milk this afternoon. He really enjoyed that 1 oz. and decided to pretty much sleep the afternoon away. He'll get a bath tonight and hopefully eat a HUGE meal before retiring for a well deserved nights rest...or at least that is what Mom is hoping for!!

Day #2 resting on Dad's arm. Now if we can just get him to open his eyes and eat, eat , eat

We hope to be discharged from the hospital sometime tomorrow. As soon as Nash begins to eat regularly and continue to maintain his vitals we can go home. We'll do another post in a few days or so and give an update on his progress.