Another Surgery on the Horizon

After a 5-month wait, Ella was finally re-evaluated by ENT (Ears Nose Throat = Otorhinolaryngologist) for her mouth breathing and obstructed sleep apnea (diagnosed by Dad at Christmas). It was decided very quickly that she required a tonsil- and adenoid-ectomy. Her tonsils had increased from 50% enlargement/obstruction to 75% in the last year. We're looking at August/September for a surgical booking (which is much better than Taylor's experience with General Surgery). An overnight stay is required and I will be allowed to spend the night with Ella in hospital. Apparently, postop bleeding probability is only 1-4% with Ella most likely at the 1%. (Postop bleeding warrants a hasty trip to Emergency.)

I'm thrilled to finally get this resolved! Whenever Ella had a cold (which seemed frequent! over the winter), her parents feared she'd stop breathing completely! Ella's weight has also been a concern--she's at the 15th percentile for her age.

Also of note, Ella has been referred to the Children's Hospital Vision Clinic (where Averi goes for her eyes). I noticed her right eye turning inward about a month or so ago. Since Averi was visiting her surgeon this past Monday, I mentioned Ella's condition and Dr. Cooper fast-tracked her in on Avi's next appointment (August). The current wait-period is one year so I was quite ecstatic with this arrangement. My guess is Ella will only need glasses or some patching as it has manifested much later than Averi's condition.

Averi gets a break from patching this summer as her right eye has strengthened for the time being. There is a possibility she will be patched again. After Kindergarten, the effectiveness of patching will most likely be gone.

Happy Mother's Day!

I didn't get any cards out this year except to my mother. Guess that's what matters but I wanted to shout out to all the other moms in my life! Stepmom, sister, grandmothers, mother-in-law, friends... This world is a better place because of you!

We went on a short family bike trip, complete with picnic!

Skipping stones:

Averi asked: Did Jesus make rocks?
Me: Yes...
Averi: Did Jesus make them so we would trip on them?

Averi tripped on them.

Taylor drinking from my Camelback (a water backpack) reminded me of feeding from the breast.

Happy Mother's Day! Shawn got me a blizzard cake from Dairy Queen!

My Gentleman

My kids love checking out new showhomes. So much so that there aren't any nearby that they haven't seen. When I discovered the latest lottery home was close by (just south of Calgary), the kids were ecstatic to see it.

Since this was a really fancy neighborhood, we had to park in a lot and take a shuttle bus to the home. The kids thought it a great adventure.

Upon arrival, I made sure the kids knew to let the other 2 occupants disembark before us. As the last woman exited, Taylor could be heard saying "Ladies first!" He sounded so heroic that my heart melted.  ;)  The departing women were also quite touched.

We got to see not one, but two! houses worth over 2.5 million dollars. We were in love!