Sunday, May 31, 2009
Several new posts...
The Heflins have been VERY busy. I have several new posts to check out and more currently being edited.
Tonsillectomy
Austin's tonsils were very large and causing him to have breathing problems when he slept and to snore. He has snored like an old man since he was an infant. Because of that, the ENT said they had to come out. On Tuesday, May 26th he had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. It is a really common procedure and better to do it at a young age.
He had just learned to swim the day before and was so excited but had no idea what was about to happen. It was really hard to explain to him that he was going to have surgery. We told him he was going to the doctor really early in the morning and they would probably take his blood again (he had it taken at his pre-op appointment like a champ!). We had to be there at 6:00am. The surgery was originally scheduled for 7:30am. He couldn't eat or drink anything that morning which made me nervous because breakfast is his favorite meal and I knew he would be wanting something. He actually did really well with that. Lendi and Jake came down from Oklahoma to spend the week with him. When we got there, Jake and Austin were having a great time in the waiting room. Austin did not see it as a doctor's office. It was more like a place we took them to play. Texas Children's is awesome in that respect by the way.
We were called back 3 or 4 times to see different people before we were close to the actual surgery. The final call back was for Austin to put his hospital PJ's on and wait for the anesthesiologist to take him. They did show him the mask that he would put over his nose to help him fall asleep. He got to pick what flavor he would smell in the mask. I was so very nervous and scared. They wheeled him away at 8:45am in a wagon and Waylon and I were just supposed to wait.
We went to a cafe to get some coffee and were paged when he was taken into recovery. That was the hardest part! When we saw him, he trying to stand up in this children's bed, screaming and totally disoriented. He was trying to take out the IV and pulse/ox monitor. This lasted for a while. I cannot describe the feelings that overcome you seeing your child in so much pain knowing there is nothing you can do. Waylon and I felt so helpless. All we could do is hold him and hope that he would calm down so he could go to his own room. We also felt guilty because we didn't/couldn't prepare him for what he was going to go through. We were also told at that point that he was for sure going to stay the night for observation. He finally calmed down a bit when we put him in the wheel chair (it was a little tiny wheel chair).
That evening, a girl from the Texas Children's radio show came around with some crafts for the kids. The kids could make their own paper beach ball if they wanted and they would be judged for the best one. Austin was all over this! Give the kid some glue, stickers and colors and he is ready to go.
There really was not much he could do at all. We watched just about every movie in his movie case so I bought him some motor cycles. This was one of the few things that made him smile the entire time.
It is now Sunday and he is still in a lot of pain. It actually comes and goes. We have tried to get out of the house to do a couple of things but he over does it and feels bad again. As if my little boy's voice could not get any sweeter....it has. The absence of tonsils and adenoids have left him with the cutest, highest voice I have ever heard. I have read that it is only temporary.
He had just learned to swim the day before and was so excited but had no idea what was about to happen. It was really hard to explain to him that he was going to have surgery. We told him he was going to the doctor really early in the morning and they would probably take his blood again (he had it taken at his pre-op appointment like a champ!). We had to be there at 6:00am. The surgery was originally scheduled for 7:30am. He couldn't eat or drink anything that morning which made me nervous because breakfast is his favorite meal and I knew he would be wanting something. He actually did really well with that. Lendi and Jake came down from Oklahoma to spend the week with him. When we got there, Jake and Austin were having a great time in the waiting room. Austin did not see it as a doctor's office. It was more like a place we took them to play. Texas Children's is awesome in that respect by the way.
We were called back 3 or 4 times to see different people before we were close to the actual surgery. The final call back was for Austin to put his hospital PJ's on and wait for the anesthesiologist to take him. They did show him the mask that he would put over his nose to help him fall asleep. He got to pick what flavor he would smell in the mask. I was so very nervous and scared. They wheeled him away at 8:45am in a wagon and Waylon and I were just supposed to wait.
We went to a cafe to get some coffee and were paged when he was taken into recovery. That was the hardest part! When we saw him, he trying to stand up in this children's bed, screaming and totally disoriented. He was trying to take out the IV and pulse/ox monitor. This lasted for a while. I cannot describe the feelings that overcome you seeing your child in so much pain knowing there is nothing you can do. Waylon and I felt so helpless. All we could do is hold him and hope that he would calm down so he could go to his own room. We also felt guilty because we didn't/couldn't prepare him for what he was going to go through. We were also told at that point that he was for sure going to stay the night for observation. He finally calmed down a bit when we put him in the wheel chair (it was a little tiny wheel chair).
Once we got to his room, they gave him some juice and Jakey watched a movie with him.
Austin could have all the juice, popsicles and jello he wanted...little did we know that was ALL. Some doctors will let kids have other types of liquids or a soft diet the next day but Dr. Homs' orders were a cold liquid diet for 24 hours. Besides the IV, this was the most frustrating thing to Austin. When he woke up the next morning, he was asking for waffles and sausage. They brought him one jello and a juice. :(
Every time his pain meds wore off, he would tell his that his mouth hurts. That is still the case 5 days later. I do have to say that he took the pain meds like a CHAMP! During his stay, at about 12am, the nurse came in to give him another dose of tylenol with codine (which tastes like crap). She asked him if he wanted her to give it to him or us. Without saying a word, he gently took the syringe from her, put it in his mouth and pushed the medicine in. We were all stunned! She said that she had never seen that before especially from a 3 year old!. Most kids fight that particular kind of medicine. From then on out, the nurses gave all meds directly to Austin to take himself.
That evening, a girl from the Texas Children's radio show came around with some crafts for the kids. The kids could make their own paper beach ball if they wanted and they would be judged for the best one. Austin was all over this! Give the kid some glue, stickers and colors and he is ready to go.
The girl came back later with prizes and said that Austin won first place! They announced his name on the radio there and it was heard through our TV.
There really was not much he could do at all. We watched just about every movie in his movie case so I bought him some motor cycles. This was one of the few things that made him smile the entire time.
It is now Sunday and he is still in a lot of pain. It actually comes and goes. We have tried to get out of the house to do a couple of things but he over does it and feels bad again. As if my little boy's voice could not get any sweeter....it has. The absence of tonsils and adenoids have left him with the cutest, highest voice I have ever heard. I have read that it is only temporary.
Huge Milestone!
That's right, Austin can swim! The second half of our Memorial Day took place in Granny and Papa's pool. Kerri and her girls came over to swim too. Austin was hesitant to get in the pool at first. He was wearing a life jacket just floating around with the help of Mom/Dad and a pool noodle then all of a sudden he wanted to do it by himself. For the next hour or so, he swam all over the pool by himself! It was so awesome to see him accomplish this!
Samantha, Austin, Daniella and Jake ready to jump in. I know...Austin needs a bigger life jacket!
He was jumping in all on his own with no one to catch him. I have no idea where this sudden desire to grow up came from!
Aunt Lendi and Jake
Samantha, Austin, Daniella and Jake ready to jump in. I know...Austin needs a bigger life jacket!
He was jumping in all on his own with no one to catch him. I have no idea where this sudden desire to grow up came from!
Taking a break...
Aunt Lendi and Jake
Memorial Day
Memorial Day for us is usually spent eating hot dogs or hamburgers and hanging out with the family. This year, we also wanted to do something to celebrate the day by remembering our fallen soldiers. We went to the Houston National Cemetery for the official Memorial Day ceremony. Waylon and I hope to make this a new tradition every year so that Austin learns to appreciate these great men and women.
The memorial at the cemetery
Austin checking out the colors before they entered the memorial
oohrah!
Austin and Daddy after the ceremony. I have to say, it was freaking hot outside but totally worth it.
Mommy and Austin
It is so important to never forget those who are fighting and have fought for our country!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thank you Uncle Mel & Aunt Cindy.....
...for the "car street"!
Everyday, superheros and small animals are hung from the rooftop and 50-car pile-ups are created. It is amazing what Austin does with this thing! I remember playing with one very similar to this when I was younger at my Grandmother's house. He plays with this every single day!!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Water Pow-Pows
Austin got a new "water pow-pow" from his Aunt Shawn and could not wait to try it out on Daddy after school.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lord, please follow through on this one!
As Austin is in bed about to go to sleep....
E: Okay, let's say our prayers.
A: Dear Jesus.....Mommy, I want to say the poo poo one.
E: Hmmm, okay.
A: Dear Jesus, please help me go poo poo in the potty. Thank you for all my blessings. I love you Jesus. Amen.
E: Okay, let's say our prayers.
A: Dear Jesus.....Mommy, I want to say the poo poo one.
E: Hmmm, okay.
A: Dear Jesus, please help me go poo poo in the potty. Thank you for all my blessings. I love you Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Jam-packed weekend
Friday night we had dinner with the Robinsons. Austin can't stop talking about "his Emilwee". Six-year-old Emily made quite an impression on him. It was great to hang out with friends while all the kids played. Thanks for dinner guys!
Saturday was a work day for me. We held our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Picnic. This is a day that restores the faith in my job. It is so refreshing to see the foster children and families enjoying the day. About 500 people were there and my team was responsible for coordinating the event. I am so blessed to be able to work with the most amazing women. They are the most dedicated, hard-working people in the biz. I could not survive without them!
Tracy, me, DeNita & Irma (Connie is not pictured)
After a long, hot day at the picnic, I came home to a spotless house! Waylon had cleaned the entire house, vaccumed and done all the laundry and put it away! I also got to check out my new Zune (Microsoft's version of the ipod). There is an inscription on the back that says Erin Heflin; Mother's Day 2009; Love, Austin and Waylon. I have an ipod but our computer crashes due to itunes so hopefully this works better. My boys were so good to me!
On Sunday, we went to church and then loaded everything up and headed to the park for Mother's Day. There are five sisters with kids on my Mom's side so we had a lot of celebrating to do! Papa grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and the kids played and went fishing. It was such a great day to spend with the fam.
Jordan and Kiersten
Playing football
Our sweet boy
Heading out to fish
All the boys
Papa and Aunt Jen fishing with the twins
Daddy and Austin waiting for a fish to bite
Austin reeling one in
He was excited but a little scared of it
Saturday was a work day for me. We held our annual Foster Parent Appreciation Picnic. This is a day that restores the faith in my job. It is so refreshing to see the foster children and families enjoying the day. About 500 people were there and my team was responsible for coordinating the event. I am so blessed to be able to work with the most amazing women. They are the most dedicated, hard-working people in the biz. I could not survive without them!
Tracy, me, DeNita & Irma (Connie is not pictured)
After a long, hot day at the picnic, I came home to a spotless house! Waylon had cleaned the entire house, vaccumed and done all the laundry and put it away! I also got to check out my new Zune (Microsoft's version of the ipod). There is an inscription on the back that says Erin Heflin; Mother's Day 2009; Love, Austin and Waylon. I have an ipod but our computer crashes due to itunes so hopefully this works better. My boys were so good to me!
On Sunday, we went to church and then loaded everything up and headed to the park for Mother's Day. There are five sisters with kids on my Mom's side so we had a lot of celebrating to do! Papa grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and the kids played and went fishing. It was such a great day to spend with the fam.
Jordan and Kiersten
Playing football
Our sweet boy
Heading out to fish
All the boys
Papa and Aunt Jen fishing with the twins
Daddy and Austin waiting for a fish to bite
Austin reeling one in
He was excited but a little scared of it
Austin's big catch
My boys
What a great weekend!!! Mother's Day is the best holiday ever invented.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
As an early Mother's Day present, I went to Austin's school for brunch. Several Mom's showed up to eat with their little ones. I got to spend time with Austin and his best friend, Samantha.
Austin made this at school
Austin and his BFF, Samantha
Austin made this at school
Austin and his BFF, Samantha
Happy Mother's Day to all our friends and family!
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