Surgery - He's a CHAMP!!

Our lil man is CHAMP!! He came through his tubes surgery without a problem.

The alarm clock rang at 5:00, we were to report to the hospital by 6:30. Greg and I both took showers and prepared ourselves for what we thought would be a long morning. After getting ourselves ready we went and woke our lil man up for the biggest day of his life. We had one breathing treatment left to do and then we would be on our way. We arrived at the hospital right at 630, (too close to call for me, I would have been there at 6:00, but Greg insisted that leaving the house at 6 would be fine. I was right, we needed to leave earlier, nonetheless, we arrived right on time), we got our champ registered for surgery, and then waited!! At about 6:50, they called us back to the operating prep-room. Cutter fell in love with his nurse, Kathy, she did a great job at keeping him entertained while she did the things she needed to do - get his blood pressure, listen to his heart, and get a pulse ox. We got him dressed in his little gown and he was all ready to go. All we needed was to meet the anesthesiologist, Dr. Moore, see the ENT doctor, Dr West, and he would be on his way. While we were waiting for Dr. Moore, all the nurses came over and just loved on Cutter. That made him happy. He was in a GREAT mood all morning, despite not having anything to eat or drink since 8 pm the previous night.Dr. Moore came and we talked about Cutter having any allergies, any health issues, the plan of action. Cutter would just be sedated with a "laughing" gas. No IV or intubating needed here! He requested that Cutter be given a "calming" medicine with was given orally. It took about 10 minutes for the "calming" medicine to take effect, but once it did, Cutter got the giggles!! Here he is laughing at Daddy.Dr. West came by to talk to us and let us know that the surgery would only take about 15 minutes and that we should wait in the waiting room right outside the prep-room, he would come get us when it was over. Daddy handed Cutter over to the surgery nurse and Mommy started BAWLING her eyes out!! I couldn't stop crying. I gave Cutter one last kiss and one last "I love you" before he left. Before I knew it, he was laughing with the nurse and walking away from me. My little boy was being such a BIG BOY!!Greg and I went out to the waiting room and discussed finding me something to eat (I was feeling nauseous) . There was a cafe down the hall and I needed some toast, so off Daddy went. While he was gone, literally 15 minutes, Dr. West came out to tell me that Cutter did GREAT and he was all done! There wasn't much fluid and his ear weren't protruding like we thought they would be, so everything went off with a hitch. "Great, so when can I see my baby?" I asked. He told me they would come get me in 10-15 minutes. Dr. Moore came out 2 minutes later to tell me that he was the best baby he had ever sedated, he NEVER cried! I was so proud of him. 10 minutes later the recovery room nurse came to get us and warned us that most babies cry for up to an hour, they are quite sure why they feel the way they feel, and that he wasn't in any pain. Cutter didn't start crying until he saw us and there wasn't much consoling I could do (which is frustrating, by the way). It took us about 15 minutes to get him to calm down, some cranberry juice, an orange Popsicle later - we were out the door and into the truck! Time: 830. We got our little champ home and fed him some homemade pancakes and he all well. They were right when they said you wouldn't even know he had surgery by 10. He was still on cloud 9 when I made him lay down and he was out for 3 hours. After he got up from a nap, he was in the greatest mood, swinging his arms and having a good ole time CLIMBING on the coffee table. That is a first, which I will post photos from his climbing in action later, I don't know if he has a new daredevil attitude now or if he was just feeling that good. Whatever it is I am glad that I have my happy little CHAMP back!!

RSV and Tubes!

This has been what we have been doing every 4 hours! Needless to say we have been staying quite close to the house. On Saturday, Cutter started getting a runny nose and a slight cough. By Monday, it was a horrible cough along with the runny nose.

Monday morning we had an appointment with the ENT to discuss getting tubes in Cutter's ears. Cutter has had chronic ear infections since he was 6 months old and this qualifies him to get tubes. While at the ENT we did 3 hearing test, all came back letting us know that Cutter can't hear anything but muffled noises, due to the fluid on his ears. We scheduled the surgery for Monday, February 16th at 730 in the morning, please be praying that the surgery goes as smoothly for us as the Doctor is hoping. After the fluid is released from his ears we will do another hearing test to make sure there wasn't any other damage done to his ear drums and he should be able to hear normal. Cutter says a few words, but nothing more than "Momma", "Dadda" or "that". After the surgery his vocabulary should excel, if not we will talk about going to a speech therapist, but the ENT doc sounded confident that we are getting tubes early enough that it shouldn't be an issue. Cutter also has another ear infection brewing so we started him on antibiotics.

After the ENT appt we had an appointment with his normal pediatrician that I had scheduled way before him getting the cough and runny nose. Since the ENT had already given us a prescription, I thought about canceling it, but I am soooo glad I didn't! My mother always told me to trust my intuition, (I thought she was talking about when he was older, you know, about when you think he is getting into mischief), BOY was I wrong. My intuition told me to go ahead and take him in. We got there, the pediatrician took one listen to his lungs and knew he was getting the beginning stages of RSV!! She took his pulse ox level, normal is 100, Cutter's was 92. They immediately gave him a steroid shot to open his lungs up and we did a breathing treatment right when we got home. We will continue to do the breathing treatments til Monday, when he will get the tubes. We have a follow-up appointment tomorrow with the pediatrician, so hopefully we will get good news that the treatments ARE working. I think they are, he sounds a lot BETTER!!

Poor little guy has had a hard last few months, I feel like he is ALWAYS sick! Hopefully once he gets the tubes, everything will drain just fine and he will stop having these chronic infections. Keep us in your prayers that everything will go just fine on Monday and we will have our happy little boy back soon!

Doing Well

We are doing well here in the Nix home. Cutter is getting more and more of a little personality and we are enjoying watching him grow into a little boy. I feel like my baby disappeared, turned into a toddler and becoming more of little boy over night. New things he's doing include but not limited to dancing, pointing and saying "that", using mustand and ketchup and LOVING IT!!

As for me, I am finally feeling some what human again. Our appointment on Monday went well, we were hoping to maybe get a little peek to see if we "might" be able to tell what he/she was, but this baby was not having any of it and did not cooperate at ALL! Patsy (the ult tech) had a hard time even getting the measurements she needed, but we heard the heart beat. It is hanging in there around 167. What an amazing thing to hear. We feel more and more blessed as the days go on to know that we are adding another little blessing into our family.

On a sadder note, I am asking all of you to keep The Mac's in your thoughts and prayers as they go through the most difficult time of their lives. This morning their little girl, Cora, lost her 3 week battle with Neuroblastoma. I don't know them personally, but have been reading their blog for awhile and my heart is just breaking for them. I can not imagine the pain they are going through right now. Please do your best to remember to pray for them and that God gives them the strength to live another day.

Playdate with Amari

While Daddy was out of town for a couple of days, Cutter and I ventured down to Cove. We had a great time hanging out with the family. But our most important date was with this little princess, Amari.

They played wonderfully together. We are actually thinking about staying another night, not by choice, but because the weather may not let us come home. If it doesn't, we may have another date scheduled for tomorrow!
The best part of it all was that while they played, we talked!! It was GREAT to have some adult conversation going on!

My kid is not shy! He didn't even do the ole "yawn" to put his arm around her trick! He just did it!!

Everyone together now......

awwwwwww

Bath Time

Isn't he just the cutest little man ever!We have been fighting several sicknesses in the Nix Family. Cutter is just getting over strep, scarlet fever (which is a symptom of strep) and an ear infection. We have an appointment next week with the ENT to see about getting tubes in his ears. I really thought I wouldn't have to put my kid through getting tubes, but I guess you can't really help it.
I thought I was starting to feel like myself again, but it hit me like a fright train and I have been feeling pretty bad myself. I am fighting a sinus infection and the normal all-day morning sickness. We are doing as well as expected here in the Nix house and just trying to get everyone well.

12 things...

...to know about my 12 month old.

1. Cutter only has 4 teeth! We are patiently waiting for the rest to come in, so we can start exploring new foods. It has to be boring to be eating the same thing over and over. Don't get me wrong, we are trying new stuff, but I basically have to dice it to small enough pieces so he can gum it to death. He can feed himself, most of the time. Actually he prefers to feed himself and he prefers to use a fork. He will also eat anything I put in front of him - Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, Green Beans, Tofu, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, French Toast, Pancakes, Waffles, Strawberries, Pineapples, Cherries, Apples, Blueberries, Yogurt and Crackers are just a few things this boy will chow down on when put in front of him.
2. Cutter is BIG boy. Not that you can't look at him and tell, but when we took him to his 12 month check-up - he is off the charts!! In all areas- head, height and weight! I asked when to start worrying about having an above average child and the doctor told me not too - I am blessed with a big boy!
3. He is walking like he has been doing it for years!! He gets frustrated when he falls, but picks himself right back up and keeps on going.
4. His Papa Homan is in Iraq! He left in December, missing Cutter's 1st Christmas and 1st Birthday, but it is ok. He'll be here next year, when it will be even more fun to watch Cutter open his gifts. We miss you Papa!
5. He is talking/babbling like I should know exactly what he is saying. He looks at me says something, tilts his head, and waits for me to respond. If only I knew what he was saying, I just look at him and respond back with what I think is appropriate for the situation.
6. Cutter is going through major, major separation anxiety. I have a feeling that he can sense that someone new may be entering his life in the next several months, so he is taking full advantage of Mommy time!
7. He can give you the biggest hug ever!! He actually squeezes and hangs on and I soak it all up. I squeeze back and he lifts his head gives me a kiss and is ready to go for the day.
8. He shakes his head "No" and nods his head "yes" when I ask him a question and 90 % of the time he gives the right answer.
9. He received a great toy from a neighbor for his birthday - he carries it around and NO one is allowed to play with it, but him. Not even Mommy and Daddy can play with it. What is it? It is a Playskool Form Fitter. He can put the right shape into the right hole, most of the time without help. He can find every piece on the floor and put it back in the box. He also puts other toys in the box. He doesn't go anywhere without it.
10. He is going to be a GREAT big brother! He is so sweet, so loving, and so kissable.
11. We have found in the last few weeks that Cutter has a low tolerance for citric acid, which is in just about every juice out there. Good thing Cutter loves water, there will be no juice in his sippy cups. Speaking of sippy cups, Cutter is drinking out of a cup 90% of the day. Mommy is having a harder time letting that night time bottle go, that is "our" time. We will with time, eventually give up that bottle, but Mommy wanted just a little more time.
12. This boy loves his Mommy and Daddy!

And that my family and friends are the top 12 things about my little boy! He is growing more and more everyday, he is becoming his own little person with his own little personality.

More updates coming soon, with photos. I am finally feeling like myself again and hopefully the creativity will start to flow again!

Happy Belated Birthday Little Monkey!

I have been slacking on posting pictures lately and for that - I'm sorry! For some reason the baby that is growing in my belly is taking all my creative juices away from me.



And for the much awaited Birthday Pictures....



We had a great time, I can't believe our little monkey is already one! He wasn't quite sure what to think about all the people there to see him.

The theme was rather fitting, Cutter has been climbing, hanging and just monkeying around lately.Cutter enjoyed opening all his gifts. He had lots of practice, since he was doing the same thing just 2 days earlier. He was more interested in playing with the paper, hey it makes noise, so why not! Despite the look of the picture above, his hand is NOT touching the candle. He wanted too, but I made sure he stayed away. Cutter was not so sure about getting all dirty with the cake. He took it easy and just used his hands to get dirty. I guess I taught him well not to play in his food. Little did he know, it was ok this time.

Overall it was a great day spent with lots of family and friends. Thank you to everyone who came and spent this special day with our little Monkey!!

SURPRISE!!

We were surprised and excited to find out that Cutter is going to be a BIG brother! We will be adding the new little one to our household sometime around the beginning of August. Hopefully this will explain the lack of postings (ie: Cutter's 12 month update and birthday party pictures). The last 3 weeks I have been battling the all-day morning sickness, the worst heartburn I have ever had and brain freezes like crazy.

With Cutter my pregnancy was as smooth as water, so we are hoping that this little one plans to do the same thing. We are approximatly 9 week and 1 day along, so we still have quite a ways to go, but if the next 6 1/2 months go by as fast as the last 3 weeks have, I am in BIG trouble.

Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers for the next several month.

Love, The Nix Family plus one!

Cutter's 1st Haircut!

I have been anxious to get Cutter's 1st haircut since he got hair. I like to have a clean-cut boy and his hair was getting a little out of control for me.

Yesterday we took Cutter to get his first haircut, by Frank. Frank is the barber that cuts Daddy's hair. He has been cutting Daddy's hair since he was five, so it was only fitting that Frank give Cutter his first haircut.

Before:
After:

Cutter did amazingly well. He NEVER cried and was happy to be sitting up there like the big boy he feels like he is. He wasn't scared of the clippers or the scissors.

His big blue eyes stand out so much more now that he doesn't have all that hair!

He was actually talking to his neighbor in the chair next to him. A little ole' man that had been getting his haircut in the same chair for the past 45 years and he had a good time talking to Cutter.
Frank and Cutter. The 1st of many haircuts! What a little cutie!

BTW, that bruise on his forehead, we have no idea where it came from. We figure he is a boy, they will come and go without any recognition of how it got there.

Happy New Year!

Wow, what a year 2008 was. I went from having a newborn to having a toddler. Where did the time go?!? I feel so blessed to have been able to spend half the year home with Cutter, since then the time has gone by waaaaay to fast.

Our plans for 2009:

1. Spend as much time as possible with our little man. Every moment spent with him is so special, even if he is throwing one of his one-of-a-kind tantrums. Yes, we have entered into that era of child rearing.

2. Learn even more about Him. We are committing ourselves to spending more time studying and teaching Cutter about God. I am so excited about this, as we have been more than slacking in this area.

3. Learn from Cutter. Enough said. He teaches us new things every day. We go to bed at night and talk about things that Cutter has done. Most of the times we laugh, he has a way of doing that to us. But we also cry, it is amazing that our little man is growing up so fast and it just brings us to tears to know that our time with him is so precious and sometimes we take that for granted.

We are wishing you and your family a Happy 2009. We hope that your year is as amazing as we are planning on ours being.

From our family to yours - Happy New Year!

Love,

The Nix Family