Yes, we still exist – the rest of us in the family other than Ryan. We love that boy, we really do and we talk about him… a lot! But as Mary Ellen reminded me through her question (“how are you?”) there are several others in this family that need reported on, so here is a brief run down.
Me: I am good, but tired. Ryan’s surgeries take a lot of energy that I don’t know I am expending until the day after the procedure. The day of I’m cool as a cucumber… walking around during the surgery, updating the blog, pumping (as usual), taking my milk to the floor and chatting with the staff, reading a novel (like The Lovely Bones which I loved). The next day I am weepy, tired, and low energy. It’s crazy… and I didn’t notice the pattern until Ryan’s recent back-to-back procedures.
Today – a week later, I’m still a little tired, having trouble sleeping, and wishing I could get motivated to stop eating everything in sight and actually exercise.
The Giant: per our conversation five minutes ago…
ME: “Hypothetically, if you were going to put on the blog how you are doing, what would you say? Theoretically?”
The Giant: “Are you going to type whatever I say?”
ME: “Yes.”
The Giant, and I quote, “I’m fine.”
The man is efficient, what can I say?
Natalie and Ainsley: These girls ROCK!
Today Natalie attended the opening assembly at her school….her new school, where she attendskindergarten. Or will, officially for the first time, tomorrow. She was a tad disappointed she couldn’t stay through lunch time today.
She also is trying to understand the idea of a uniform. Today she came downstairs with a random t-shirt on and I asked her why she didn’t have her uniform shirt on. She said because her t-shirt was from preschool last year. (I’m not sure how this is relevant other than it is affiliated in her mind with school?!) I told her she needed to wear the uniform shirt I laid out for her. She asked me why. I tried explaining the concept of a uniform. She didn’t get it.
After the assembly, the kindergartners came home for the day. So, I loaded the girls up and we headed to see Ryan. This is the first time the girls have seen him all closed up. They oooed andahhhed, literally, and asked all sorts of questions. Ainsley asked “Where’s his belly button?” and Natalie asked about the catheter and it’s bag, “Is it in his p_ _ _ _?”
The girls played amazingly well for 3 hours in the hospital room. I made them a fort by putting a sheet over the two recliners and a hospital tray table and they played house. At one point, I could hear them talking about their babies coming out… they had been birthing babies in the car by putting their dolls in their shirts and pulling them out so I’m guessing they set up triage in the tent. I wish it were that easy.
Then, they asked me to babysit their babies while they ran errands. They sat together beside the wall with Ainsley driving (complete with two pudgy hands in the air turning an invisible steering wheel). Much to my relief I noticed both of them latch invisible seat belts.
Natalie instructed me to call her if her baby was hungry, started crying, or got a rash on its bottom. It went something like this:
“If she’s hungry, call me.” (holding up her hand like a phone by her ear)
“If she starts crying, call me.” (holding up her hand like a phone by her ear)
“If she gets a rash on her bottom, call me.” (holding up her hand like a phone by her ear)
“Okay!” I answered, “I’ll call.” and I held up my hand like a phone to my ear. I couldn’t resist.
Ainsley, of course, echoed these sentiments for her baby.
To recap, the girls are doing fine. Henry is fine. And, I am fine. I look forward to getting into some sort of routine with the girls out of the house three days a week. For now, I will use those days to visit Ryan, who hopefully will be home by the end of the month (my hopes, not anything the docs have confirmed yet).
As for the boy, he is doing well. The team is talking of extubating him this week. First they are weaning down on his heavy sedations and replacing them with less respiratory affecting pain killers. They already started CPAP trials to see how Ryan responds and he is tolerating them.
That about sums it up, but if you think of anything I missed, call me… holding up a hand to my ear like a phone.
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (9)
So glad to hear that the rest of the family is doing well. Your girls rock any time of the day. I miss seeing you. Love ya lots. Still praying for Ryan! He is such a miracle. Can’t get over how good he looks in the picture. Might call ya soon – holding hand up like a phone.
Leighann,
I loved the way you described the girls playing in Ryan’s hospital room. So cute!
You found humor and they brought joy to your heart,…that’s great. I know I was smiling as I read the part about “Call Me” as they held their hands up to their ear. And then you doing it back to them gave me a chuckle.
I know it has been a long hard road for you and your hubby and I am so glad that you are all doing ok.
Praying that Ryan can come home soon.
Continued Blessings!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
HAHA your description of the girls was funny! They’re awesome! & the conversation with Henry HAHA I’m glad everyone is doing well, not only have I been praying for Ryan but also for everyone in the family, so glad everything is up and going! 🙂 Will continue to pray! Have an awesome day!
thanks for the update on ALL of you!
I am so glad every one is doing well. I can’t wait to see new pictures of the miracle baby! I also loved The Lovley Bones….it is a great book!
Glad to hear the update of your family, continued prayer and well wishes for all of you. Hope the girls enjoy school.
what good girls to play so beautifully alongside their recovering baby brother!
i am glad you are doing ok. i don’t know that restful sleep ever returns for the mom, really, does it?
thinking of you tonite. praying for supernatural rest for you. in His name.
k
Leighann, because you asked for comments earlier, I feel I must contribute =)
These were my thoughts exactly when I read your post: “I love ‘fine’ people!”
I love you! Hope to see you sometime soon!
-Jessica
So glad you called(holding hand up by the ear) the other day-great to catch up with you.