Aubrey's Surgery

March 2019

Every spring and fall for the past several years Aubrey has had 1-3 sinus infections.  She also has some pretty bad headaches and takes a ton of allergy meds to keep somewhat healthy.  We usually just go to the Walmart clinic or even call Doc in a Box and get antibiotics and she is good to go.  Our pediatrician, Dr. Ramos, is awesome and we have used him since Brinley was born. However, his office is downtown and it always takes FOREVER to get in and out.  Quick clinics are just so convenient.

Last fall we decided to go to Ramos and I can't remember why.  Maybe Aubrey needed refills on her allergy meds?  Well, he wouldn't prescribe antibiotics to clear up her sinuses and I was a frustrated momma.  He wasn't sure it was a sinus infection.  I was sure.  It happens over and over and if we don't catch it early it takes her two weeks to recover.  He did feel like something deeper might be wrong since she has them that often and wanted us to get a CAT scan.  (We did call back a couple of days later when her mucus changed colors and he called in medication for a sinus infection.)

Well, a CAT scan, a referral to an ENT, and $1000.00 later we found out she had impacted sinuses especially on one side.  (Gunk that had solidified and was just blocking everything.)  This is one reason why I like Dr. Ramos.  He is good.  He could have just treated Aub for a sinus infection and moved along, but he knew the number she was having wasn't normal.  We had to wait months to get into the ENT but when the doctor saw her scan he immediately knew she needed that cleaned out.  We scheduled the surgery and she had her adenoids removed also.  

One funny thing...and Aubrey might kill me for writing this but.... When she went into the ENT the first time the doctor had to put a small camera up her nasal passage.  He was showing us on a monitor what everything was "here are you adenoids and if you go this way we are seeing..." and Aubrey passed out.  What???  The nurse and doctor were great.  They got her a wet washcloth, started fanning her and had her drink water once she was up.  I was pretty surprised. Poor baby.  About 5 minutes after Aubrey woke us she leaned over to me and said "Mom, I think I passed out."

We went a couple of weeks later and met in an office for the pre-op.  Brian came with me and there weren't enough chairs so Aub was sitting on my lap.  They were just telling us what exactly the doctor would do and what time to come etc.  And the next thing you know she fainted again!  We were all cracking up (and fanning her etc.)  I thought the first time, because the camera was up her nose, she must have been in pain.  However, I guess part of it may have been fear/stress or just forgetting to breath deeply.  We practiced breathing techniques so she wouldn't faint on the big day.

It was pretty painful and she has been home 1.5 weeks and is still recovering.  She had to do neti pot 8x a day and sleep in a reclined position.  Out of the 8 days of school since the surgery, she has missed 5 and tried to go part of the day on the other three.  Yesterday was Saturday and she was a busy girl all day long.  She did her morning chores, helped clean the church and set up for a youth dinner.  She went ice skating and hung out with Lauron all afternoon.  Then she helped serve/clean up at the youth dinner and had a late night-over with La and Avery.  We will see how she is doing today.  Hopefully, she is over the hump.

Waiting to get hooked up to the IV.  We had to be there at 7:00 am but she didn't even get rolled back until 11:30. It was a long wait.

Notice her nails.  All the nurses complimented them...even when she was still knocked out and in recovery.  Aubrey loves makeup, fancy nails, cute hairstyles and fashionable outfits. Also, I took her early in the a.m. and Brian caught up with us after he had gotten the others off to school.  He definitely lightens the atmosphere.  We were both tired, bored zombies and he came in teasing and cracking jokes.  Aubrey came alive with her daddy there.  Pretty adorable.

They gave her this cute little bear.

Dr. Nwojo.  He is very personable.

She didn't get out of surgery and into recovery until 1:30.  It was a long day.

Poor baby.  Her nose was pretty swollen and she was barely awake in this picture.  All of the nurses were very nice and extremely helpful.

Aub had a lot of drainage for days and so she had this lovely but functional gauze setup.

Yea for visitors and feeling loved!

She was pretty beat but felt so loved with all the visits.  Martha, her YW pres, and Avery.  Avery brought a couple of board games to play together to give Aubrey something else to do.

Lauron making sure she didn't pass out because she was woozy.

Pretty pathetic.  She did tell me "Mom, one good thing about being sick is Parker has been SO nice to me."  I thanked him and he said "Well, look at her.  I can't be mean to her now."

Just doing a little science experiment

Ang and Lauron stopped by and brought flowers and a huge bag of Sour Patch candies.

I LOVE this picture.  Avery was home from school doing a breathing treatment and they were trying to face-time.  They make quiet the medical pair. 

The rats nest.  She also had a sore neck for sleeping in the recliner for days.

Spring Break 2019

Spring Break, March 2019

We had a wonderful spring break.  We were able to fit in a variety of activities and I think everyone just had a relaxing time with family and friends.  A few things that stand out:  Parker was gone every single night possible to hang with friends.  Aubrey fit in lots and lots of friend time mainly with Avery the first half of the week and Lauron the second half.  

At the end of the week when the boys left for Youth Conference, Brinley, Aubrey and I decided to go to the temple.  Lauron was able to join us and it was wonderful making the time to go.  They did baptisms and I did a session.  (My first since some changes implemented at the beginning of the year.) The temple brings such peace.

La and Aub watched movies up and back. Brinley and I visited the entire way home and it was wonderful.  I really needed that.  It's been awhile since we just talked and I love that girl.  Also, with the kids being so busy with all their friends over the break I didn't interact with them as much as I used to when they were younger and we had spring break.  Visiting with Bryn really made my spring break feel complete.

On the Friday we got out of school, Gram and Gramp took Bryn to lunch and surprised her with her graduation present.  Her own laptop!  She was all smiles and will definitely be utilizing this gift often!

Avery and Aubrey hung out a lot over spring break.  In addition to getting their nails done one afternoon they hung out non-stop for two entire days...splitting their time between their houses.

Aub declined a pedicure before the cruise and opted instead to get her nails done after.  I enjoyed catching up with Martha while we waited.

We came home from Dallas and Aubrey spent an hour cleaning the inside of the van...without being asked!  It was amazing and much appreciated!

Bryn w/ the Browns enjoying spring break.  She got to hang w/ Morgan a couple of times too and she went shopping with a friend from school.  She had a good balance of friends, family and free time.

I love the creativity these next few photos represent.  Lauron and Londyn came over and the girls played "College."  They each chose a course they were going to teach.  I overheard some of their classes and it was super impressive!  La taught a veterinarian class.  Londyn taught a room decor class and Aubrey taught a cooking class.  

Trying to get a picture of the boys before they left for Youth Conference.  They weren't cooperating.

I am really hoping I get some pictures from somebody who went to Youth Conference.  Tanner is on the far left in the black hat.

 Brother Atchley sent me these of Parker.  They could have been so cool if the darn kid would cooperate instead of looking like a goof ball on purpose.

Aaron M, Edyn B and Parker  The boys weren't too excited about going on the trek but came home happy and chatting up a storm about their adventures.  Parker was hungry the whole time and did not appreciate his family choosing not to purchase more food at the beginning of the trek.  Tanner mentioned their dinner took forever to cook one evening.  They brought pop-rocks and loved the problems those stirred up. (I am truly sorry fellow pioneers and leaders. 😩)  I think it gave them both a little glimpse and appreciation into the lives of the pioneers.  On Sunday Bishop Ormsby asked all the youth to speak.  Tanner mentioned a pioneer story about a family who was starving and a pie was found in the middle of the dusty trail.  He said we might think miracles don't happen today because we have never had a pie appear for us in the middle of the road.  However, we have miracles happen today that help us with our needs.

Lauron was in Mexico for the first half of spring break.  The girls were happy to be reunited again.  At one point they decided to exercise and start eating healthier.  The picture below is after they ran.

Sandhills!  We met up with Britney, Monica Jackman, Karen Rawlings and a new sister named Andrea. (lft-rt: Aubrey w/ Ella and Penelope, Andrea's little boy, Ellie R and Londyn B)

Hudson and the girls back from exploring the dunes. (Londyn, Aubrey, Lauron and Hud)

Lauron stepped on a pokey sticker type plant that tore up her skin between two of her toes.  Then she had to walk up and over a few sand dunes to make it back to our spot.  She had sand in the wound and that pretty much ended the girls exploring.  We stayed another 30 minutes visiting and called it a day.

Absolutely no homework was done over the entire spring break.  I checked with Tanner multiple times to see if he had anything due. He tends to wait until the last moment to do school work. At 10:30 pm on the Sunday night before school started guess who remembered he had a huge packet due in Social Studies?  Crazy kid.

Sunday Night Cousin Video

On the last day of spring break we had our Sunday night gathering at the Birds.  We celebrated Braddock's 11th birthday and  Stevie and company made a fun cousin video.  We all loved watching it on the big screen.

ELLA BELLA

Brinley's Senior Pictures

Grandpa and Becky both took some pictures of Brinley for us.  They turned out great. We are blessed that they so willingly share their time and talents with us.  I loved almost all of the pictures...but that girl is apparently particular when it comes to photos of herself.  Here are a few of her favorites.

Grandpa's:

A few of Becky's:

Family Pictures

Becky did an amazing job of photographing our family.  Let me just say, those teen boys can make things difficult.  Parker in particular was having a hard time cooperating but we powered through.  I have some pictures I like but Brian really only has two he has "approved."  Brinley and Aub have their favorites too.  Park and Tanner were pretty indifferent w/ the final products.  Here are a few of the faves.

Tiny Beck getting her optimal shots!