Coop's Adventure!!

It is hard to believe when looking at Cooper right now that he was as sick as he was....it almost seems like a blur! Last Wednesday Cooper woke up around 5 in the morning screaming of severe pain in his mouth and he had a high fever! I took him to Pediatrics that morning and I knew something was not right. They called the doctor right away and after a series of tests - blood work, throat swab, x-rays, cat scan (which he thought was cool because he thought he was Buzz Light Year) they could not figure out what was wrong. By 12 that afternoon he had perked up and I thought he was fine...two hours later, he was leaning forward, drooling, could not talk, and was having difficulty breathing- that was when they informed me that the helicopter would be landing in ten minutes to take him to Children's in Seattle - PURE PANIC!!! Twenty minutes later, Coop was off in the helicopter and I was on my way home to pack a bag!

Before I had even left the island, the doctors had me on the phone giving consent for them to take Coop into the operating room for exploratory surgery! Before I even arrived at the hospital they had identified the problem, he was incubated and he was in Pediatric ICU. Cooper had what is known as Epiglottitis - (here is the medical term)
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea, or windpipe, during swallowing. When it gets infected and inflamed, it can obstruct, or close off, the windpipe, which may be fatal unless promptly treated.
Here is what Coop's epiglottis looked like....

Thankfully Melissa had driven me there and knew what to expect so I would be prepared...I don't think anything could have prepared me to see my little boy like this...

Cooper was in the PICU until Friday night! God saw me through all of this in so many ways...My parents arrived the next day , Nate was helicoptered off the ship Thursday night, and we had the most amazing care during our stay. My favorite nurses were Mark and Lindsay! They were with me the first night and I requested them the second night... I wish they had supernatural powers where they didn't sleep because I would have loved to have had them take care of Coop during the day! I couldn't have asked for better nurses for Cooper - they not only explained everything to me that was going on, from the beeps that seemed to go off everywhere in the room, but explained all his medicines, and gave info on his progress. What an incredible gift they both have for taking care of children... We were truly blessed to be under their care!!

Friday morning the breathing tube came out and all there was to do was wait for him to wake up...

As soon as he did he was back to his "trademark"..

Nate arrived later that morning ( Nate had to be in the gowns because Coop also tested positive for RSV) When Cooper saw Nate he asked him why he was a doctor!!

By Friday evening we were moved to the regular floor....by Saturday Coop was on the road to recovery!!! He learned quickly that he could have ice cream, milkshakes, and snacks whenever he wanted!!

By Sunday we were all ready to get out of the hospital... we were going CRAZY!!!

Coco sent Coop a package....his first dog!!! He was sooo excited!

We had to have a talk with Coop to remind him that he when he got home it wasn't going to be like the hospital....milkshakes three times a day wasn't the norm!

By Tuesday morning, we were all cleared to go! The bacteria in his blood was identified as a strain from the H virus and we could finish up our medication at the Naval hospital! I think Coop was the most excited about going home!

We couldn't have made it through this difficult time without all the love and prayers from sooooo many people everywhere!!! Thank you to Bryan and Melissa for coming to get Connor and taking care of him, Beth for being there when Cooper was taken in the helicopter, Melissa for driving me to Children's, and Brandi for taking Connor too!!! A huge thanks to my parents for dropping everything to be here to help us.... we couldn't have done it without you!!

We are so thankful to God for Cooper's recovery and it is the best feeling to see him back to his normal self - he definitely is making up for lost time of not being able to talk!!!

It's Official....

I can say without hesitation ...summer weather has officially hit the island! It couldn't have come at a better time.. Memorial Weekend! The boyz and I started our weekend on the right foot... a birthday party on Deception Pass Boat Cruise! I have decided that this is an absolute must for anyone who comes to the island! Just the history alone is amazing but throw in an enormous Bald Eagle's nest that has been there for years and watching them fly overhead is an extra perk too!

Connor and Cooper loved the boat ride but for Connor the true fun came when the boat was going "super fast" and we were "rocking" to the music of Danger Zone from the movie Top Gun! How appropriate that song was and we were bouncing over the waves...not exactly what I would call fun as I had the "mama grip" on both boyz!

Cooper had a different approach to handling the boat going fast...

One of the highlights of the trip....a California sea lion just hanging out...

What a way to start the weekend!! Saturday found us at Brandi's house for a bbq!!! Not only was there great food but there was a lot of bouncin and tumblin...

and a lot of slippin and sliding...

and yes.. the sun continued to shine!!! So that meant POOL TIME!!! Connor was my big helper with the pool...

Cooper - not so much! He took his usual position and watched his brother!

But once that pool was filled - it was non-stop fun for the boyz!

A weekend filled with sun, friends, laughter, and fun...all the makings for a great start of summer on Whidbey!

My Little Man Turned 5!!

My little man turned 5 today...

at 6:50 this morning he literally was right in my face with this huge grin and told me it was his birthday! Normally when he wakes up that early I tell him that it is too early and he can lay with me..but not this morning.. we had to get the celebration started early! After a quick cup of coffee while he watched the Disney Channel, we were ready to go....First on the birthday boy's agenda for the morning....coffee cake for breakfast!

Then we were off to the dollar store after we dropped off Coop at preschool! I was thinking more along the lines of Starbucks but he wanted to pick out a toy! The toy of choice this morning... dinosaur capsules that grow in water (update: They have been in there all day and they don't even come close to resembling a dinosaur)!

After that we went on a razor scooter / walk around the neighborhood! I should have worn my running shoes - you should see him fly down the hills on that thing!
After school let out, we were off to Burlington to Chuck E Cheese! The great thing about this Chuck E Cheese it is completely empty during the week and when you go as early as we do, there is usually a bunch of free tickets hanging out of the machines because they have just turned them on...yes, I am that mom!

Connor was able to open one present today, only because my girlfriend felt so bad for him that he wasn't going to be opening up any gifts for two more weeks - he received a Star Wars the Clone Wars figure! Thanks Brandi and Bryce!

Our last stop was Target (it was for the boyz I swear) where they each picked out their favorite pajamas - Star Wars the Clone Wars of course! At 7 pm both boyz were fast asleep from their fun filled day...Connor no doubt is dreaming of the presents he is going to open! Happy Birthday Connor....Sweet Dreams!

Special Chapel Services for the Boyz

Last week was a busy week for the boyz at their preschool... Student of the Week, field trips to the farm, special chapel services, and the ever so important SNACK DAY!! Snack day for Connor was the day that they celebrated his birthday! Cupcakes were made, a crown was worn, and he turned 5, well not really, but he said since the school celebrated it and I had cupcakes it was like he was 5 - I thought that was pretty good rationalization coming from an almost 5 year old! That same morning, Coop and I attended Connor's chapel service where he was awarded his Preschool Graduation certificate!!

The proud Graduate!!

Cooper's chapel service was the following day where he received his preschool participation certificate!

I love weeks like these, in spite of the craziness that it may bring with it, I love these special moments that I am able to be a part of because I am at home with the boyz! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

The BIG BAD DINOSAUR

Today was yet another day that Coop decided not to take a nap. I really shouldn't complain because he was in his room for a good forty minutes and that should have given me plenty of "me" time but I just wasn't ready ...SO I figured if he wasn't going to take one I might as well. So I said those magical words to Coop, "Why don't you lay down in Mommy's bed and I will let you play with my hair!" His eyes lit up and he was like, "Okay!" SWEET!!!
While he was lying there sucking his thumb and playing with my hair. I asked him if he wanted to sing me a song - He responded with, "How about I tell you a story - Mama, have you ever heard of the BIG BAD DINOSAUR??? Once upon a time there was a BIG BAD DINOSAUR and he knocked on the door (and this point of the story he got up to knock on the bed frame) Who is it?? (this was done in a high pitch voice) THE BIG BAD DINOSAUR - CAN I COME IN??? Not by the hair of my chiny chin chin. The End. That was funny!"
And with that he proceeded to go back to playing with my hair and sucking his thumb and I was off to la la land - There is nothing sweeter than your three year old telling you a story before you fall asleep!

Mr. Cool Guy

It must be "I'm turning 5" thing because Connor has suddenly become Mr. Cool Guy! He was feeling pretty proud last week as we headed off to the public school to register him for Kindergarten and this week he is "Student of the Week" at preschool - I guess he is Mr. Cool!
Here is a glimpse of what I am referring to....he wore his sunglasses the entire meal during my Mother's Day Brunch...definitely Mr. Cool - minus the food on his mouth!

Another sign of his independence is that instead of me doing the Student of the Week Board he was completely involved in the process - from picking out the pictures, to writing the captions, and decorating it with stickers! Oh my little man is growing up!

Congrats Connor on being the Student of the Week!!! You are Student of the Week every week to me!!!

Mother's Day - A Day Early!!!

Mother's Day came a day early this year...and believe me there were no complaints from this Mom, I have no problems celebrating anything for two days!! Not only did my hubby make a delicious breakfast for the boyz and I, but he looked pretty good cooking it too - maybe he should cook all the meals!

The boyz have been excited all week for me to open their gifts that they made me. Before I opened them, Connor said, " Mom, seriously, you are going to love it!" (He is so me!!!) and he was right - I "seriously" loved it!!! "WORLD'S BEST MOM" Magnets!

The presents didn't stop there either... my hubby and the boyz bought me a 90 minute massage - oh a little piece of heaven on earth awaits me at the Majestic!!

The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to spend at the soccer fields watching Connor!
Connor showed off his skills on one side of the field....

While Coop showed off his on the other field in his own personal game!

The fun didn't stop there.... as soon as the games were over we were off to one of our favorite spots on the island... Fort Ebey! How could you not enjoy a picnic on the bluff overlooking the Olympic Mountains while enjoying time with your favorite boyz...definitely the best gift of all!!!