Noah's Visit to the Hospital

Don't let the title freak you out too much, it was a planned visit!  A while back we had taken Noah in to see a pediatric dentist just to have an exam.  She informed us that Noah had some cavities that would need to be fixed (which didn't entirely surprise me).  First, let me clear the air, we are diligent with brushing Noah's teeth.  I am not going to say we brushed them every night (now we do!) but we would only miss a night on occasion.   We decided, to keep Noah from being traumatized at the Dentist office, that we would go ahead and put him under general anesthesia and have them take care of it all at once.  It was the best decision for Noah, and I still feel that way.  Noah wouldn't have lasted 2 minutes in the dentist chair while they were drilling!

Everything went well and we are happy to report that after a good long nap this afternoon that Noah is back to his old self!

Here's how the day went...

We arrived at the hospital at 6:30am and got Noah all checked in and changed into his gown.  At first he protested a little bit, but then we turned on the Disney channel and that distracted him long enough to get him changed.

After a while he decided to get comfortable and watch a little Mickey Mouse clubhouse (his favorite)!

A nurse came in shortly before 8am and gave Noah some 'goofy juice'.  Medicine that would help Noah to relax before they took him back to the OR for anesthesia and his IV. I am glad they took him back before the put him under, mostly because I was afraid I was going to get very emotional if I had to watch.  The wheeled him away and we went up to the waiting room....

Clare and I went down to the gift shop and bought Noah a little car for when he woke up...

 I am not sure if you can see, but those bad boys were $9.00 each!  It's true, the hospital gift shop probably wasn't the best place to buy toy cars, but Noah loved it and it was worth every penny!

 Andy got some studying in!  Not even in school yet and already studying like he is!  :)

 Noah's favorite part was the Popsicle back in his room.  The nurse said he probably wouldn't remember any of this when he got home but we asked him about the Popsicles and he remembered both colors that the nurse gave him!  Seems like he was even more aware then we thought :)

When we got home he cuddled up on the couch and quickly fell asleep.  He sure was a trooper today!  We are so lucky to have little Noah in our family.

Simple Things: Father's Day

I am sure you aren't in the least bit surprised that today I am grateful for the wonderful fathers in my life!  I have been blessed with so many wonderful father figures and influences and am so grateful that my children will be able to share some of those same relationships!

Firstly, I am grateful for Andy.  He is the best father and husband that I could ask for.  He is so patient with the kids and really inspires me to be more patient myself.  He is the voice of reason!  If I am caught up in something he will always calm me down and help me to see the whole picture.  He loves Noah and Clare so much and isn't ashamed to show or tell them so.  He takes his role as a husband and father as his highest priority and I have never questioned otherwise.  He is my best friend, and I know he is my kids best friend also.  So often Noah will be sitting by Andy on the couch, or anywhere else, and will turn to me and say, "Mommy, I love my daddy!"  I love him too buddy, he sure is great!

I am also grateful for my father!  He taught me how a husband should treat his wife. He told me the importance of speaking to and treating my mother with respect.  He honors his priesthood and helped me to look for that same quality in my husband.  He taught me gospel principles during day to day life.  I can still remember an experience when he taught me the value of keeping the Sabbath day holy.  I will have to share that with you sometime dad!  He counseled me though much of my single life and encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone and experience new things (and not to give up on them)!  He taught what it really meant to pray.  And mostly, he taught me that even thought life can be rough, you always have enough to give to others!  Thanks Dad!  Sure love ya!

Lastly, I am grateful for Andy's dad!  Not only for the way he and my mother-in-law raised Andy but also for the decisions he made in his life, that have impacted ours.  For choosing to be baptized a member of the church and giving those blessings to his children.  That decision has blessed the life of 6 of his own children, 4 of their spouses and his 9 grandchildren (with many more to come).  I am grateful that he is so willing to 'go with the flow' and I know exactly where Andy gets his patience from.  I am grateful that he is Andy's best friend and how much Andy looks up to him.  I know that our children will look at Andy in the same way.

Let's not forget mine and Andy's brothers and brother-in-law...Nate, Mike, Greg, Corey and Spencer.  All of whom are wonderful fathers who we are so grateful to have in our lives.

The list could go on and on (grandfathers, friends etc) and I am sure you all have a lengthy list of your own!  Here's to the great men in our life and a Happy Fathers Day too!