It can't be....

This darling little baby (and I do say baby for a reason!) is a big old ONE year old!!! I am really not liking this - no, not one little bit!! He is my baby!! He has been such a fabulous baby and has just melted my heart! He has such a sweet spirit about him. He has been a super cuddly little guy and I pray that as he gets older that he will continue to be.

I don't like the fact that he is starting to act like a boy instead of a baby! He walks everywhere now. He says some words. He eats a lot (can ya tell?). He goes down the tube slide at the park by himself on his tummy - face first! And just this week, he figured out how to throw his arms up and twist and contort out of my hands so he can get free and go where he wants....usually the stairs! He climbs stairs like a champ, but thinks that he can either walk down them holding onto the railing, or that he can just go down on his tummy - face first!! So far (knock on wood) there have been no major crashes, and I hope we don't have any!

His birthday celebration on Thursday was small - just us! He opened a few presents and then got to dig into his first birthday cake!! Yes, I realize it kind of a looks like a big mound of poo, but it tasted yummy! (if you have time, read that link from my sister. Guess us Clay girls have a talent for poo-looking treats!) I didn't have time to make a fancy-scmancy cake - so...that's what he got! Does he really care though - uh, no.

Totally love this last picture....taken by Zach at the end of his poo cake fun!

I think another reason that I had a hard time was because it was only a year ago that I was seeing this little tiny face! Only 365 days and now look how big he is!!

It also didn't help my longing to keep him little by seeing pictures of another darling little new baby!! I am a proud aunt this week! Parker's birthday was shared with his new cousin, Weston Ross Buckwalter! This is my older sister's 3rd (she has twin 4 year olds)! Kamyrn and Carson look like they are in heaven - especially Kam!! He is absolutely darling and looks so sweet! I am in love with his hair! I get to go see him in a couple weeks!! SO excited!

A couple days later, on the 20th, I had another little nephew born! This time it was Chris's younger sister, Kimberly (who also happens to share a birthday with Parker!). She has 4 little girls and just had her first little boy! He is a doll and if only I wasn't so technologically challenged, then I could figure out how to copy her pictures from my email and post them as well. Kim and Tyler have darling kids and I am so excited that they finally have a little man!

Good job on the babies, Mindi and Kim! And Happy Birthday to my baby....my one year old baby!!

Success!

Chris's surgery went well and he is handling the pain ok. In about 3-4 weeks, giving his head and ear time to heal, they will then turn on the implant. There will be lots of adjusting to that, but hopefully all for the best! Thanks for all the prayers!!

Surgery #2

I am sitting here typing this post on Chris's mini laptop that he uses for his video relay (phone assistance). I am grateful to have something that can help keep my mind off of today's happenings. I am looking out the window of the Mayo Hospital here in Scottsdale, AZ. There is a hot air balloon taking off and cars rushing down the interstate. It is an overcast day, but still looks like it will turn out to be a beautiful day outside.



Right now as I type, Chris is in surgery. He is having his second cochlear implant placed into his right ear. The first surgery was back in May 2009 on his left ear. Overall, the first one was a success and it has really improved Chris's hearing. His brain though, is still so overwhelmed with two different types of sounds - one from an implant and one from his normal digital hearing aid. It has made certain things difficult. Chris (and his audiologist) are very hopeful that by having both ears hearing the same and having it be such a better sound and more imput to his brain, that things will just get better and better. Boy, I sure hope so! We are so fortunate and blessed to have the insurance we have! The first surgery alone cost over $90,000! Ouch! And that was just ONE ear! We only pay a fraction of the cost, but it is very worth it if it can improve his quality of life so dramatically.



I told Chris last night that I would love to just snap my fingers and make him hear normal. I hate having to see him have to go through so much just to have a basic function that I take for granted everyday. But then I thought about that comment later. As much as I would love for him to hear normal - obviously Heavenly Father blessed him with a hearing loss for a reason. Would he be the person he is today without his hearing loss? Have all the years of struggling helped give him the determination he has needed to excel in his life? I would like to say yes and am pretty certain his parents would agree. He has had to push through much opposition and go through much in order to be where he is today. It is my prayer that this surgery will only enable him to continue on with that drive and determination to be the best he can be and to do all that he can to reach his goals. I am certain it will. Will it be easy - no. Easier - hopefully.



As I sit here typing, I still have those "I'm nervous and a bit scared" butterflies in my belly. How can I not? My husband is having his head cut open! But, at the same time, I think I am just trying to put those aside and just stay calm. I feel extra emotional - maybe due to the fact that I am not feeling well and I got about 3 hours of VERY interupted sleep. That is not a good way to start a stressful situation.



I know that this surgery is not nearly as emotional for me as I remember last surgery being. Last time I was so anxious and nervous as I had no idea what to expect. (It probably didn't help that I had a 3 month old at the time that I had to feed and entertain in a little waiting area for about 7-8+ hours.) I am confident though that he is in good hands and will be well cared for. He has the same surgeon and same team working on him as last time. They were very good to him last time. I think the only thing they are doing differently is give him more pain meds. He ran out too quick last time! And this time....he WILL be taking them!! That was one of the hardest parts - for me anyway! Some dumb resident dr. freaked him out about taking meds that he was nervous to even take motrin or tylenol! Stupid!! He freaking has his head cut open and won't take pain meds after the prescription ran out because of what that lame-o dr. told him. Chris ....be forwarned (if you read this)....your wife-nurse will be hiding them in your food if you won't take them! =) I do not want you to be in the kind of pain you were in last time when there is something that will help - even a small amount!

Thanks everyone for your prayers and love. Please say some more!! Thank you to all who have helped with my kids (at 4:30 in the morning!!) and offered to bring meals. It is hugely appreciated and we are so grateful for your kindness and service! I will update again later when I know how everything goes.

Zach

Chloe

Parker

The first of many...

Having major slideshow problems....so I will just post pictures. Here are a few for tonight....

Totally handsome and cool 9 year old!

A typical Chloe face!! Happy and singing all day long!!!

Piercing blue eyes and such blond hair! I always knew someday I would have a blond haired, blue-eyed little boy. I think I got it - but way cuter and lovable than I ever imagined!!

As Chloe puts it, "Ooooo, kissy-kissy!!!"

The whole gang minus one looking down from Heaven....

Soon...

...I will have more family pictures posted. I need to make them into a slide show. There are too many that I like!!

Bathtime torture...

Brothers are just supposed to pull the heads off of their sisters barbies, right? Well, Parker has already figured out at a young age how to torture his sister's dolls. This time, it is Chloe's Polly Pockets he finds so tasty!


More torturing cuteness....

Benefit concert!!

Many know about my fabulous and wonderful friend, TJ, and her fabulous and wonderful sister, Tiffany's older brother that was diagnosed with a very aggresive form of leukemia a few months back. Tiffany (and TJ from far away) has been super busy organizing and carrying out many different benefits in order to raise money for Todd and his family. He still has a long road ahead of him and could use all the help he could get! Please pass this info along to all you know - especially those living out in southern CA!! Sounds like a fun time!! Read below....

Oh, and if you are willing to register to be a bone marrow donor, go here. It doesn't take long and won't cost you anything! Help save a life!!

Todd Rocks! Benefit Concert House of Blues Anaheim (Downtown Disney)

Dear Friends,

Late last fall, Todd Larsen, a young music teacher who just founded the Irvine Music Academy and a 14-year veteran coach in the 2,000+ member Irvine Swim League, was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia. In response to the shocking news, Larsen’s immediate, lengthy hospitalization, and in an effort to support Larsen’s wife and infant son, the OC community has rallied to raise funds to offset the costs of his expected year-long, aggressive cancer treatments.

On Monday, February 1st, the public is invited to support Larsen with a benefit concert at the House of Blues Anaheim (Downtown Disney). Hosted by KLOS-FM’s Uncle Joe Benson, the evening will feature special performances by Vivian Campbell, guitarist for Def Leppard and Whitesnake and Mark Schulman, the drummer for Pink, Beyonce, and Sheryl Crow; and Jon Abrams, the star of Broadway’s “Movin’ Out.”

In a unique way to help this beloved music teacher while gaining stage experience, young pupils from Larsen’s “School of Rock” at the IrvineMusicAcademy will headline the entertainment. Bands including 10 Fold, Chix Rule, Out of Order, and Vicious Beat are scheduled to perform. A live and silent auction and raffle will round out the evening’s entertainment. Further information and reservations are available at http://www.toddrockinleukemia.blogspot.com/

WHEN: Monday, February 1st, 2010

TIME: 6 p.m. to Close

WHERE: House of Blues Anaheim (Downtown Disney) 1530 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA phone (714) 778-2583

If you would like to donate a raffle item, make a cash donation or purchase tickets to the event, please contact Ms. Sandy Jones at 949.252.2046.

Thank you – We hope to see you on February 1st.