Simon's Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy and Tubes

Poor Simon had to have yet another surgery. For the past four months his ears have been blocked with mucus which has impaired his hearing. During that time he has had a constant stuffy nose, so much so that mucus would come out the kids eyes. We took him in for pink eye twice and both times were told that it was just boogers coming out of his eyes because he was so stuffy. We took him to an ENT and he recommended a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and tubes in his ears.

This is his 4th or 5th time going under anesthesia and the poor kid isn't even 4 yet.  (1) Toe at 3.5 years old, (2) tear ducts at 11 months, (3) spine at 7 months and maybe (4) if you count what they gave him to stay still through his MRI at 4 months, but it was not a surgery. He only remembers the toe surgery, so he kept referencing his toe.

Surgery wasn't until 2:30, so he had the whole day to get nervous and hungry (no food after midnight!). There was a lovely woman named Becca that came to visit us as soon as we walked into the prep room and her job was essentially to explain to kids what was going to happen (I think it was called Child Life Specialist). She had an ipad to show pictures of the operating room, and Simon loved talking to her. She brought a couple toys and really helped him calm down. He headed off to surgery happy.

Sadly this was the hardest surgery he has had so far. He was pretty dazed and kept asking for me even when I was holding him. He scratched up his own face pretty badly and in the pictures from the recovery it looks a little like he has a bloody nose, but it's just where he caught himself with his robot arm (they wrap his IV). We ended up staying in the hospital a little longer than expected. Luckily Auntie Amy and Auntie Colleen came to watch Lillian so we didn't feel rushed.

When we turned off the tv in the recovery room Simon became more himself. He kept saying he heard little sounds and when we went to the bathroom he just about jumped out of his skin because the flush was so loud.

Nervous start.

Becca explaining to Simon what is going to happen before the surgery.

Ready to go, but sort of hoping the tv would magically turn on before he left.

Jenn came to visit him in the hospital right after surgery.

Super dazed Simon.

Guess where the TV was?

Looking more himself after tv is off and before we head out.

Letting Auntie Colleen smell his chicken broth.

Auntie Amy can smell it too!

Simon loved his "chicken coffee"

Weekend pictures

Practicing eating popsicle and Simon shared with her - Lillian discovered that they are super cold.

Simon flying a kite!

Lillian this week

Lillian and Alan stayed home this past week. Here are a couple pictures that Alan sent me of Lillian.

It was very warm a few days - look, no leggings!

Eating is so funny!

Until you are ALL DONE!

Checking out her new batman socks she got from Jenn.

Simon and Emily to Arizona April 5-11

Simon and I went to Arizona, just the two of us, for seven whole days. As soon as we arrived Simon jumped around on and off rocks and did some gardening with Grandpa Bart. Simon must have spent an hour showing me the proper way to jump off a rock (while I dozed in the sun).

The first couple days there I had to work in the morning and Grandpa Bart took Simon to the club and they established a routine - first play golf, then eat lunch, then swim, then rest, then eat dinner and go to bed. Every day that they went to the club they spent an hour at the driving range!  Simon just totally loved golf. Tuesday they went and got Simon his very own properly sized club and he is so proud of it! Simon is pretty good at golfing - which is no surprise since hitting balls with sticks is one of his favorite things to do. The swimming was a hit too, but golfing was the best thing on the trip. Simon didn't mention baseball once!

We had such a wonderful time. Simon didn't want to leave and I totally understood not wanting to give up vacation. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa Sweeney, for such a great trip!

Johnny Workerman came out the first day to help Grandpa Bart take out some flowers.
Simon then spent an hour showing me the proper way to jump off a rock. 

Simon and Grandma Kiki showing off some mad puzzle skills.

Grandma Kiki, Grandpa Bart and Simon all golfing.

First putting lesson.

He LOVED hanging out with Grandpa Bart.

Spent hours in the wading pool just splashing and enjoying himself

This is representative of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday AND Friday.

Warming up with Grandpa Bart after swimming his heart out.

Reading books with Frankie Dog (the book talks about dinosaur predators)

Guess who are the predators!

Snuggling with Grandma Kiki

Showing off his golf swing!

Arizona Railway Museum and Park

While Simon and I were in Arizona, Grandpa Bart and Grandma Kiki took us to the Arizona Railway Museum. There was a really great train ride that went around the whole property, by a couple playgrounds and through a tunnel! Simon was so very excited while we waited in line. We also went through some restored rail cars (Simon went quickly) and then saw a bunch of model railway sets that Simon could have looked at for a few more hours. It was a great excursion! We will definitely go back next time we are in Arizona.

The whole group, Simon couldn't take his eyes off of everything else long enough to look at the camera.

In line waiting for the train (you can see a bit of it behind us). Simon is SO excited.

Such a happy, excited kid!

Finally on the TRAIN!

Selfie on the Train.

Looking at the train after we rode it.

Looking at the model trains.

Best view is from up here!

We had a picnic snack here and Simon became one of the Family Circus kids.
They will have a Family Circus Museum opening nearby soon.

Simon Says Part 5

Daddy: Simon, why are you wasting all that food?

Simon: Oh, don't be sad.  I'm just going to throw it in the trash and you'll never see it again.

Daddy: Yes, that's wasting it

Simon: ... I'm ok with that.

Simon (singing the alphabet song): "Now I know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me?"   Sing with me is just pretend, it's part of the song.  You don't have to really sing.

Daddy (after accidentally bumping Simon's sore toe): Oh - I'm sorry, Simon!
Simon (very seriously): Dad.  Sometimes you're great, and sometimes you're bad.  And that was bad.

Simon: We read a witch book at school today!

Daddy(making a Dad Joke): Oh, which book?

Simon (a little confused): We read... a witch book.

Daddy: Yes, that's what I'm asking.  Which book?
[this goes on for a bit]

Simon (giving a dirty look as he gets up from the table): Ok, I'm done with talking.

Simon (trying to give a compliment): Mom, you run as fast as an old guy!

Simon (walking out of school, at the TOP of his voice): EXCUSE ME SKY, CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME SOME MONEY?!
Random lady on sidewalk: If that works, please let me know.

Simon: It's so dark that I think the dogs have turned into wolves.

Daddy: And what's the first thing we're going to do when we get home?
Simon: Walk in.

Simon: Let's play Jack and the Beanstalk.... I'll be the bean.

Weekend Fun

Alan and I had a great and productive weekend with the help of all Chicago based sisters and Jenn. We redecorated Lillian's room, hung a few things on the wall in her room, talked through and measured for furniture in in the basement tv room, guest bedroom, and Lillian's room. We also ordered blinds for downstairs, black out blinds for the guest bedroom. (All future guests make a happy noise!)

It was also very social time since we got to see the Chicago based sisters and Jenn! Some pictures below.


Occasionally Alan will turn Lillian upside down which she finds HYSTERICAL. When I ask her to turn her pacifier upside down she did this:

I had just sung the ABCs to Lillian and she is showing off her own singing:

Where is Simon?

Snuggles!

Auntie Colleen and Joe brought Easter Baskets when they came! They had toys and fun and CANDY! Simon was very into the candy but I made him wait until after breakfast.

(This is how we eat candy at our house. Pull out a plate, put all candy on the plate and eat until you want to be done. We did this for halloween and it really worked well. There is no playing while eating candy because I do not want to find chocolate in my rug or jelly beans stuck to my couch. )

Simon digs into the chocolate bunny that Auntie Colleen and Joe brought him.

WHAT!? It is hollow!

Plays like a flute!

Yes. Yes, he likes chocolate.