A Family Party

Grandpa Todd and Grandma Monica had us over for a Birthday/Easter/Mother's Day celebration this weekend.


The kids swam for about 30 minutes until they got out shivering.. it's warm outside, but not warm enough to heat up the pool yet. After dinner, the boys played some Wii.


And the girls played outside. I love listening to the girls play.. you hear "princesses, magic flowers, and let's pretend!" The boys just say "get em.. punch em..ahhhh.. that was awesome!"


Before it got dark out, Grandma Monica surprised the kids with a little Easter egg hunt. Owen got a little head start...




The kids found money, candy and giant light up balls. We came inside, sang Happy Birthday to the birthday bunch, and then settled in with some dessert. It was a great night with family!

Stanford Dates

After a couple months of waiting for the cath lab to open up their summer schedule, we finally got the call with dates. Owen will have his Cath and MRI on July 28th! This is going to be a lucky day because Owen will be exactly 3 yrs 6 months.. to the date. Ok, so it's not really a significant date, but I am choosing to be optimistic.

Owen has to rock this appointment! His echo has to look good.. no surprises. The cardiac MRI has to show mild to normal function. His tricuspid valve has to show mild regurgitation, showing that his TV repair in February was indeed successful over time. The cath has to show great pressures. Then... and only then.. will we get word that the Fontan is possible. I am so optimistic. Cautiously optimistic.

Transplant has been the only option for so long... so the idea of Owen having a successful Fontan is exciting! I can't even imagine his little cheeks tube free.. it's been forever!

So we will travel to Stanford at the end of our summer. Maybe we'll drive up the California coast and enjoy the beach for a few days on our way. We might fly and spend some time in San Fransisco instead. It's time for this momma to start planning.. it's what I do best.

If we get the go ahead from Dr Hanley, Dr Rosenthal and Dr Stock to move forward with the Fontan... we will have a quick turn around back to Stanford. I want to get him in for surgery before August ends. I don't want him in the hospital during the icky respiratory season and he isn't in a position to wait until the Spring.

It looks like we better have some serious fun over the next three months of freedom. Lots of swimming, movies, bbq's, family time, ball games, and lazy summer days cuddling on the couch. Life is so good!!

Monster Trucks

We had another great weekend!! On Saturday morning, I took photos for some Mother's Day projects and then Owen played at the outdoor mall playplace.. for the first time ever! I never stop to let him play because I am so afraid of germs, him being clobbered, or the fact that his oxygen cord is so short and I don't want another kid to trip. I'm so glad I threw caution to the wind.. he had SO much fun playing with the other kids and I just walked around with his oxygen tank a few feet behind him.

On Saturday night, we had the opportunity (thanks HopeKids) to go to our first ever, Monster Truck Show! The show was at an outside racetrack and we got sweet seats..front and center.


I am so glad that we were told ahead of time to bring earplugs. It was so loud! The show started out with motorcycle stunt guys and Owen loved it!! I ran to find some food, and while I waited in the hour long line for fries, I heard the cars reving up their Jet engines. SO LOUD. I also ran into some interesting characters while waiting in line.


It was so cold.. probably only 70 degrees.. and we were shivering. I didn't think to bring coats since we live in Phoenix and it's May. We totally needed them though. Kamryn was hungry, bored and freezing after 15 minutes in and was not interested in smiling for the camera. She did have a great time.. er okay time.. afterall.


I think our favorite part was when the monster trucks crushed the cars and vans. Owen kept yelling "that car BROTEN!!" .. "that one Broten.. that one broten too!" (as he pointed at every single car) He was in heaven!! He yelled and hollared and laughed. Kamryn just kept asking "can we go home now?!"


Around 9:30, they started a huge firework show while they cleaned up the destruction that the trucks left behind. We decided to wait until the end to see RoboSaurus! Then crowds of people started coming up and packing in right where we were sitting and we decided to get outta dodge! Good call! We missed all of the traffic and were home and in bed by 11. It was so much fun!!


We all slept in on Sunday and even took a mid morning nap. Then we headed to Kona Grill to sit on the patio for lunch. It was so gorgeous out! As soon as we got home, we went for our first swim this spring. Both kids jumped right in!! Owen said "swimming swimming.. I LOVE swimming!!" He really wants to go under water and just get to it, but I don't know about the nasal cannula getting submerged in water? He is so brave, I hope to have him swimming on his own by the end of summer.







Kamryn has tons of school activities coming up as she wraps up her 5th grade year! Owen has a Barium Swallow study scheduled for May 10th and Cardiology on the 23rd. This week is going to be busy and full of fun!! Happy May!