Just One More Bite

A Crazy Day....7-20-11

For the past few weeks I have been having contractions on and off, normal right. Wednesday morning I woke up at 2:58am with some major pains! I was half asleep and was hoping they would go away, after about 6 minutes they didn't go away, I got up went and sat on the couch...every two minutes I was having contractions. after about 4o minutes I woke Josh up and told him. We waited another 20 minutes and decided okay maybe we should go to the hospital just to be sure everything is okay.
Josh's parents came over and Josh and his Dad gave me a blessing, then off we went to McKay Dee. Sure enough I was having contractions, they were getting better though. They gave me a shot in my arm to help relax the uterus. The nurse checked me, I was dialated to a 1,70% and soft...oh great! BUT.....my FFN test came back Negative!! I was so relived! With Tate it was positive and that was the begining of bed rest.
After three hours they sent me home to rest and go see my doctor that afternoon as scheduled.
I came home and slept for about 5 hours. Poor Josh had to go to work, I felt so bad!

Tate: That same day I had to take Tate to his 2 year well check...He looks great! here are his stats:
weight: 26.6lbs 26% percentile (this is the highest his percentile has ever been)
height: 35 inches 60% percentile (also the highest it's ever been)
Head: 70%
Doc. Rose was very impressed with Tate and said he is very well adusted, he was nervous Tate would freak when he saw him because of all of Tate's previous health issues but Tate was fine. He just sat there and made funny faces at him. He said Tate will do very well in school settings and other social settings, and that he is very outgoing and not timid or shy. His vocabulary is right where it needs to be!
I asked him about Tate always wanting to eat ice, and so Doc Rose ordered for some blood work to be done....
After he got his shots we headed over to McKay Dee once again this time for Tate.
We got back to the lab and as soon as we sat down Tate started to get fussy, he knew what was coming, this was not the first time we had to do this. The Phelbotomist was this big burly guy and said this will be fast, he has big veins...Tate is strong and I couldn't hold him very well and his vein rolled, so they only got enough blood for one vile, for the other arm they wrapped him up, and he screamed the whole time, but as soon as they were done and he got his ball and stickers he was as happy as could be. He even told them Thank you and good bye. It was so cute!

Back to Dr.Bier for me, he said everything looked good and to hang in there. He gave me a prescription for Nephedepine (spelling?) to take as needed and to drink LOTS of water. Dehydration and over heating can cause labor. I am feeling pretty good and am trying to take it easy. I am getting frustrated because my feet are constantly swollen, my sciatic is killing me and my stomach is HUGE, nothing fits. I know I need to hang in there but once we are past the safe stages I want this little man to get here!!!

Tate's bloodwork: it came back very low on iron, so now Tate gets an extra boost of iron vitamins twice a day for a month then we will retest. average starts at 7 and Tate's was a 10.

A safari of FUN, Tate turns 2!!

Tate's 2nd Birthday was so much fun! We had a Safari themed party in our back yard. There are a million pictures but pictures tell the best story!!

Going with Mom to run errands for the party..Friday.

Friday night my sweet mother in law came over to help me decorate cupcakes and Tate's cake. I thnk I left the kitchen once in 4 hours and that was for a potty break.

 

 here we are hard at work.

The finished product, sorry the picture is side ways, i couldn't get it to fix. We did 36 cupcakes, so cute huh!!

and the Cake, it is supposed to be a lion, I think for someone who has NEVER decorated anything like this in my life they turned out pretty cute.

Lots of cupcakes!

Saturday morning, this birthday boy would not get dressed!

Finally dressed to impress in his safari clothes!

The party!

Presents...lots and lots and Tate didn't know what to do!

The cake..

Chanelle and Tate eating their cupcakes.

Sophie and Chanelle playing with all the animals.

My beautiful Grandma and Mom and hansome Tate.

Tate and his Aunt Chelese. He love her so much!

Chanelle and Tate dancing.

The Kunz family, traveled all the way from Fillmore for Tate's big day.

We were so happy to see them! It's been way too long!

The Beckstrom's, Tate loves this family, I think he has a crush on Michelle!

Chanelle and Tate dancing at the end of the day. These two were so cute!

Thank you everyone for coming to Tate's special day. We have such great family and friends! I wish I would have gotten more pictures of everyone. Just know that we love you all very much!

Mr. Tate

Here are a few pictures of what we have been doing. The other day I had to run to the store and Tate insisted he wear his tie. He is so funny. It was very hard getting him to smile!

Tate LOVES the outdoors, if it was up to him we would live outstide, on Sunday after the big storm came he couldn't wait to get out. He got his snow stuff on and once we got to Grandma and Grandpa Johnstuns, he didn't want to eat dinner he wanted to stay outside. so we put him out there on the deck and let him play. (we did go out with him and pet the horses and see the chickens.) He loves it outside he is just like his Dad!

Every Day A Suprise

Every day Tate does something to suprise us, he is so full of life and so hilarious!! Last night he was being a little stinker, a little grumpy. I tried feeding him some Frosted Mini Wheats (one of his favorites) nope a few bites and he was done so I asked him: "Tate do you want to go to bed?" With out any hesitation he grabbed his blanket, binki & off he went down the hall straight to his room. I lifted him up and in he went. I couldn't believe it. We didn't have story time or anything.
I kept thinking great in bed at 7pm he is going to wake up at midnight wide awake....NOPE he slept all night and this morning I had to wake him up just after 7am to get ready. And that was nearly impossible to wake him up, it took me five minutes.
He is such a good boy so happy and so very funny. He definatley keeps Josh and I are on our toes!

A day as a Stay at Home Mom.....

When Tate had his surgery I was lucky enough to get to stay home with him for Thursday and Friday and it was wonderful!! I loved every minute of it. I really could get used to staying home with him and taking care of our house. It was so nice to not be rushed and be able to go and do as I pleased with no running out of time. Friday the 19th my little sister had her baby girl so Tate and I went into the U of U hospital to have a visit. She is absolutley perfect.

Here are some pictures of our fun weekend, and of course I had to throw in the ones of him and the dogs, he loves the doggies. He was even making sure they were getting enough to drink.

Surgery #3

On November 18th Tate had his 3rd surgery. This surgery was a good one though, he had Tubes put in his ears and his adnoids taken out. They are hoping this will be the end of Ear infections and well all infection. He did really well. We had to be there at 7am, he went in for surgery around 830am and was done by 9am and we went home just after 10am. He slept most of the day but was eating good and playing, the anesthesia made him a little angry but by Friday he was fine. And he has been fine ever since, it has been great!! Love it! His doctor was Dr. Schueller, he is out of McKay Dee and he is the BEST!!

Randomness...

First off I have about a million pictures and things to update as far as what we have been doing but I don't feel like looking for my camera and down loading all the pictures...sorry...but here are my thoughts as of late:

As I sit here and type away Tate is upstairs screaming his little head off, he doesn't think he needs to go to bed, his usual bed time is 8/830pm for the past week or so, he does not want to go to bed, he will stay up until 11pm. I have tried laying him down with me, nope that doesn't work, its too exciting to be in Mommy and Daddy's bed (he never slept with us as a baby), I have tried laying on the couch, nope cause he just wants to play. I know he is okay, I go in and reassure but I am to the point where tough love is my only option, cry himself to sleep hopefully and maybe he will get back into the routine we all once knew. :)
Any suggestions, please share!!

We are all doing good other than Tate's lack of a desire to sleep. He is getting so big and is so smart, he walks around talking the language of Tate as Josh's parents call it. He loves to jibber jabber. He does have quite a few words that he can say:

Dog; cat; thank you; go; please; hi; dadda; mamma; fish; shoes; (someothers I am sure but I just haven't mastered the language yet)

Loves to make animal sounds: Cow, dog, chickens, duck, horse, snake, elephant, anything that growls

His stats are: 22 pounds and 31 inches tall, he can fit into 18 month shirts but still 12 month pants and wears a size 5 shoe (all this is for my personal journal, I will never remember it all).

He Loves blankets and always wants Josh or I to hold his blanket. He loves his farm animals and his books, favorite book: usbornes Ted and Friends book and Elmo search and find.

Food: recently discovered the joys of dipping, and he loves Salsa! Loves grapes and watermelon, and pretty much all fruit, Likes ground beef, but not too big on chicken, loves to use his own silverware and usually gets distracted playing with those vs eating. He isn't a big fan of juice but will drink it watered down. LOVES water and Milk. Yogurt is still a favorite of his.

Josh: Josh well he still eats whatever and I am trying to be better at making dinner for him. ( I like cereal for dinner). He is good though, very busy working and going to school, one year from now we will be preparing for his graduation, I cannot wait!! and neither can he. He is so smart, it amazes me. I wish I was half as smart as he is. He is busy studying, doing my honey do lists and working and on top of all that he still manages to be stress free and have fun. I don't know how he does it.

ME: well I try to manage my life one day at a time and well as of late I feel like my plate is overloaded but I keep thinking to myself, Ashlee get organized and everything won't seem so bad. So I am considering getting a franklin covey planner, a few people I work with use it and they say it helps immensley with organization. ;) and really when I look at other peoples lives and compare I think come on lady you need to step it up and stop worrying. So thats what I am working on.

Work is good, very busy and somewhat exhausting mentally but I enjoy what I do and I have a strong passion for it. I love Fresh Market and I love the people I work with, I seriously work for some of the best people out there. I couldn't ask for a better career choice. Right now it is even more so draining because we are working on closing 3 stores, any time things like this happen it is so hard, not only because of all the work and labor that goes into these types of things but the mental exhaustion of it all, peoples lives are being turned upside down. Let's just all pray that the economy continues to bounce back and that our Government will allow it to benefit all.

Tate has finally stopped crying, time to switch out laundry and go to bed.

15 Months and Growing

Tate turned 15 months old this month, I cannot believe how big he is! He is turning into a little boy. Here are some fun facts about Tate!!!

1. He is talking like crazy!

2. Started Walking at 14 months, and is now Running everywhere.

3. Loves to eat grapes and watermelon.

4. Always wants to read his ooks (books).

5. Has to have his own fork and spoon, and is getting so good at feeding himself.

6. Is just like his Dad, LOVES to be outdoors (I am worried about this winter).

7. Has no more infections!! woo hoo

8. Gives hugs and kisses on his own, without being asked!

9. Loves to Dance, and knows how to turn on the stereo.

10. Favorite songs: Monkeys Jumping on the bed, Monkeys swinging in the tree, bringing home my baby bumble bee.

Loves playing in the rocks and eating them.

Loves all types of sport balls

His best Friend Molly

My new favorite picture

Love you Tater, you are the best little boy ever!

Again.....

Sunday Aug 1st while at church I noticed a lump on Tate's right side of his throat. I was thinking oh great, but maybe it was from when he just fell a few minutes ago. Monday came and in the morning it looked a little smaller and he slept great so I didn't think anything of it, by the time Josh picked him up Monday night he looked bigger and was hard. Well Monday night Tate wouldn't go to bed until 1030pm usually he is fast asleep with no fight at 8pm. He was up again at 2am and stayed up pretty much the rest of the night. Finally falling asleep around 7am.
So I called the Pediatrician and scheduled an appointment.

Doc. Rose saw Tate at 11am Tuesday Aug 3rd, here he at his office. You can see the right side of his face is a little swollen compared to the other side. Dr. Rose said definately an infected Lymphnode again and sent us to McKay Dee for blood tests and a CT scan to see if there was an abcess.

They did the blood work and then they did the CT Scan, and that was not fun becuase he had to get an iv and then he had to hold still in order to get a good picture and He was so mad and then finally I think he was getting so tired from all the crying and fighting that he just layed there and they got the picture. We waited for them to review it and they called Dr. Rose and he did have an abcess so he was admitted.

They were hoping since it was still small enough antibiotics in the IV would be enough to get it taken care of but...

When he woke up Wednesday morning this is what his sweet little face looked like. the Abcess had doubled in size over night. The ENT doctor came in, Dr. Shueller and wanted to do surgery as soon as possible. Tate had eaten breakfast so they didn't do it until about 6 hours later.

Dr.Shueller said that when he cut it open it popped like a zit because there was so much pressure. He face was as hard a rock, and so red. It was so sad.

The surgery went really fast, He was in and out in a total of 20-30 minutes. After surgery he was super tired and we loved to snuggle up.

Every day the abcess got better and better, we didn't get any of the cultures back until middle of the thursday night, and it came back as staph again, then friday night we found out it was the same kind that he had had the first time (good because it will be treated with oral antibiotics). Saturday morning they decided we could go home since his white cell count was normal and he seemed fine, he was playing and smiling all day!

We were so happy to be home, Tate wanted his dogs first thing, it was cute.

Me: this was so hard this second time around, so much scarier than the first, the first time, you know kids get things and there is nothing we could have done but for it to come back a second time and so quickly really had the doctors worried. Was there something wrong with his lymphnodes? was it Luekemia or Lymphoma? I was a wreck, it is so hard to sit in a hospital with your baby and feel so helpless because you cannot fix whatever it is that is causing them to be so sick, and you can't explain to them that the pokes and medicines and nurses are just here to make sure he gets better.

I am so grateful for all the Nurses and doctors at McKay Dee on the Pediactric unit, every single one of them was amazing and so willing to help with whatever. There was one nurse, she was such a blessing to us. Tate loved her, Anne was her name and I will never forget her. And also Jessica she was so wonderful too, I even got her crying cause I was a ball baby when he was going in for his 4 IV while we were there. (yes 4 nights 4 IV).

Neal the nurse manager was so great, he even called me on Monday to see how Tate was doing, that touched my heart so much. And Dr. Shueller, he did the surgery and was so good to explain everything and reassurring. And of course Dr. Rose Tate's Ped. He is the best and he has even called to see how Tate has been.

Then there is our families, Josh and I have the best families ever. Tate had visitors from his GG, and Nonna and Uncle Shane, his Aunt Chelese and Uncle Steve, Great Grandparent Johnstuns and Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Keven. The 3 Grandma's even kicked me out so I could come home and get a shower and new clothes. WE love you all so much thank you for being so great to us!!!

Drum Roll Please.........

He did it, Tate is Finally Walking! He has been close for a while and we thought for sure he would be by his birthday but that day came and went and still nothing. For the past few weeks he would hold his hand on the wall and walk down the hall, take a few steps here and there but nothing to get too excited about.
This weekend we were with lots of family and lots of Tate's cousins who can walk, and well that must have done it because this afternoon while Josh's parents were here for dinner, Tate did it he walked from the stairs into the dinning room. And after that he was all over the place, he even did it outside. ;) I couldn't find my camera but will get some pictures up soon. Way to go little man! We are so proud of you!!

Tate's First Surgery....

Over the weekend we were in St.George, we took Tate to the ER (see previous post) we thought he had a hernia, the doctor said to see our pediatrician so Monday July 12th Tate and I headed to the Pediatrician, Dr. Rose checked the "hernia" and was really concerned so he called Primary Childrens, scheduled us an appointment and off we went. We met Josh at home, and we headed to PC. Here is Tate the night before we went to the doctor, you can just see in his eyes he doesn't feel good.

So here he is waiting to go into Surgery, Dr. Rollins, checked the lump and he was very concerned about the hernia, he was going to have Tate get an Ultra sound but decided to not wait any longer, He was going in through the belly button with Laproscopy to see if the hernia was on both sides (so far just on the left).

So they have a miracle drug that helps the kids with Anxiety and also helps them so they don't remember anything (all the trauma) It was within minutes Tate was so loopy. Here is he all drugged up ready to go into Surgery.

Josh and I couldn't stop laughing, we would ask him where he nose was and he would point to the side of it and rubbed his face, it was hilarious. We felt bad laughing but couldn't stop.

Post Surgery, he was in there almost 2 hours, I was starting to get nervous. But then they came and got us. When I went into recovery the nurse was holding him I took him and he was very out of it. They told me it wasn't a hernia, he ended up having an infected Lymphnode, Dr. Rollins came in and talked to me and so did Dr. Phelp (the Anesthisiologist), she is the best Anethisiologist I have ever met, so nice! He did great in surgery and they were going to keep him over night, they wanted to find out what the infection was, so they took a culture of it and also wanted to make sure he did okay after the surgery.

The first night he did really good, slept great, I think because of the meds were not quite out of his system.

Checking out all his wires, not so sure what to think of them and really he was not a fan. Tate started getting fevers Monday night, and had them Tuesday morning, Tuesday night and all night wed. Wednesday morning, then Wednesday he seemed to be doing really good. Played all day and we thought we were going home for sure. Then when the night nurse came in around 730/8pm she checked his IV (it was in his foot) and was really concerned so she had her tech help her and they removed it because the medicine was not going into the vein it was going into the tissue. They then had the Resident Surgeon come in and look at his leg and he proceeds to tells us that they are going to give Tate 5 shots in his left leg, to hopefully force the antibiotic into the vein, if it doesn't work we need to watch for redness, or white spots, this means the antibiotic is eating the tissue and could cause severe scars, possibly would need skin graphs.

By now I was freaking out, I had held it together pretty good while we were there, I hadn't cried one time, but this was really getting scary. Josh's parents and Chelese and Steve and my Grandma were all there, so the guys gave Tate a blessing. Once they all left they took us to another room and I said I would hold Tate while they gave him the shots, big mistake, I was bawling, it was so hard to see him in so much pain, he was screaming. It was probably the hardest thing I had to do.

Well the shots worked and Tate's leg was fine. Thank goodness. But he kept getting fevers so we stayed another night yet again.

Wednesday they sent the Infectious Disease department in to talk to us and they wanted to run a bunch of tests to make sure that Tate didn't have an immune problem and that all the infection was out. From the culture the infection ended up being Staph infection, that is why they wanted to check everything, they did a stool sample, mucous sample, blood tests, and gave him a catheter for a urine sample. Poor kid! I felt so bad.
Friday the tests were all okay, he had gone 24 hours without a fever and seemed to be feeling much better!! : )

Tate's favorite sleeping position while at the hospital, he would nap like this all day.

Funny Story: I had Josh bring me some clothes on Tuesday and some other necessities because I needed to shower!! Primary Childrens provides shampoo and towels so I didn't have him bring any of that, so he got there and I hurry and jumped in the shower, (not in Tate's room there are showers in the unit for parents), well there I am and after I get in I realize I have no shampoo/conditioner or towel. So I shaved my legs, washed my face, wet my hair, and dried off with my T shirt. Kind of funny but I couldn't Wait.

Mom and Tate hanging out.

Tate had lots of visitors, here he is with his Nonna. Grandma and Grandpa came also and his GG and Aunt Chelese and Uncle Steve.

Friday he was so much happier, playing and dancing I think he knew we were finally going home.

So happy to be home and sleep in his own bed again. I love how he is using the bumper as a pillow.

Here is a video of Tate dancing while at the hospital, he loves the music on Barney.