Round 4 for Tysen

Tysen was having symptoms of shunt failure for about 3 weeks before he finally had surgery. He would have an episode once every 2-3 days and then would be fine after a very long nap (sometimes 4-5 hours). He had scans right before the symptoms started and they showed that everything looked normal.

The worst part about this is his symptoms. He will be in a lot of pain and will be very sick and lethargic. But, they can't go in without something showing on the scans because they don't want to cut him open and nothing be wrong. So we have to wait until Tysen gets worse (like non stop pain) to go into ER and get more scans.

The scans showed water building up so they did the surgery.

His shunt was blocked once again. They put new hardware and BIGGER hardware so hopefully that will help prevent blockage.

He is at the age now that he is aware of what is going on and he was SCARED!

He is starting to realize that the doctor's office or the hospital is not a great place to be.

I hated seeing him go through this realization but it was bound to happen. He did really well though. After the surgery is the best because he is back to his old self and he doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. The pain is gone, the fear is kind of gone, and he is responsive (before surgery his symptoms cause him to be close to non responsive. He just stares blankly and will not respond most of the time).

We are so happy that it was not infection and we are so blessed that he is well and that the doctors know exactly how to fix the problem.

A HUGE thankyou to those who brought meals, took care of baby and dog, and those who were praying for his well being. We can never thank you enough for that wonderful support!

Love you Tysen! You are so STRONG!

He is very much back to his old self :-)

With some of his cousins...making a new fashion statement!

"Just Call Me Aunt Edith"

I remember every summer with you. I remember my friends wanting to spend the summer with you. And, I remember you would say to them, "Just Call Me Aunt Edith"...and they would. I know that I had a better imagination because of you. I remember the stories we made up in your back yard while climbing the grapefruit tree. I remember getting stuck in that grapefruit tree and Uncle James having to fish us out. I remember fresh lemonade and some of the best meals I had ever eaten. I remember the love that I knew you had for each of us children and how much confidence you gave us. I remember being taught right from wrong on many occasions. I remember going into the Jacuzzi whether it was in our clothes or our swimming suits. Also, filling the Jacuzzi up with cold water when it was too hot outside to bear. I remember always looking for a sale. You always let us find our own sales in the stores and when we wanted to buy something on sale you would say "See, That is smart. You are Smart!" I remember wondering why you gave so much service. Why are we giving cookies to the neighbor? Why are we going to volunteer at the stroke center? Why do we need to put on a fashion show and invite the neighbors? Year after year I grew to realize exactly why you did these things. And, I've told you this before but I know that I grew into a better person by watching your example.

It was so hard to let you go. But, I was happy to see your pain stop and know that you are with your sister Mary and your Mother Ardis again. The ones you always talked about. The ones you missed for so long. Now we will miss you Aunt Edith and I already yearn to get back to see you again. You will be in my stories I tell my children....and when I am done telling them I will say "I can;t wait to see her again!"

You were and are such an influential person in all our lives. I remember you as the Crazy Aunt Edith (your normal self) who would sing the shampoo commercial to people when they called.."Halo, Halo." You were the really tall clown "sunny" I think. I remember this briefly because I was little; but, it was silly enough for me to remember. You were our families Easter Bunny, Santa Clause and "new school clothes fairy." How you did all of that for 14 children?.... I will never know.

All that I can say is that I love you Aunt Edith Thank you for the wonderful years and that I will miss you unitl we meet again.

The Latest

Tysen is up to 22 blocks at a time with his "tower" building. He starts with a strong base by turning his tote over and starting there. Then he builds until it gets too tall...when it gets too tall he pulls his stool over and gets up on it to build the rest. What a process but what SUCCESS!

In other "Trouble" news, Tysen now likes to think of his brother's face as a piece of drawing paper. I understand how dangerous this is...but there are those times when I'm not looking that Tysen sneaks a pen and does damage. All the while Jayden was smiling as if he thought it looked good.

Not long after (maybe a couple days) Tysen had some mystery artwork on his cheek. Fine artwork, I must say but the question was "what did he use to get such exquisite strokes?" Certainly a mystery, since there was no sign of a mess, no sign of an open marker...but it looked as though it could be MASCARA! Oh No! But, upon entering my room I found that my mascara was in my makeup bag with the cap twisted on. He must have used it because when asked what it was he colored with he replied "makeup". At least this one was clean artwork.

2010 Family Vacation (Part 3)

Our last stop on our trip was San Francisco. When we first got there we decided to do the Golden Gate Bridge first. The rodes were so scary to drive on. There were so crowded and there were a lot of one way routes. A few times I genuinely thought we might die. It made it that much more adventurous when you think your life is on the line :-)

The Golden Gate Bridge was covered in Fog so it was hard to see how Big it was but as we drove on it we got a good sense. We pulled off to take pictures and we were thinking about taking the trail to walk across it, but opted not since we already had put our lives in jeopardy just driving the streets. We had enough life threatening experiences for one day.

While taking pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge I could see a couple of Asian ladies admiring Tysen and Jayden. One came up and grabbed Tysen and the other stood back and took pictures of the two together. We were laughing (even though it was strange) until the lady decided to take a family picture with my family (me excluded).

So, I have a new family picture to hang on the wall (too bad I was replaced).

A lot of Asian people came up to us wanting to take pictures of our kids like they were celebrities...very weird.

We also visited the Jelly Belly factory. The bummer was that we went on the weekend and they let their workers have the weekend off. So, we took the tour but they just had videos playing and we didn't get to see it up and running.

We got free Jelly Bellys though ;-)

We wanted to ride the trolley but it seemed nearly impossible with two kids and how PACKED they were. We had a very nice man tell us how the system worked. He told us to go down to the second to last Trolley stop because it doesn't have a sign so no one knows that the trolley stops there. Plus, since the trolley goes one way, we would beat everyone else on. He said he had 50 years of experience so we just followed him. He gave us free day passes and made sure that we made it on the Trolley. Then he just went on with his day. I love nice people!

We got to Fisherman's Wharf and there was this bum on the side walk holding a fake bush in front of himself and when someone would walk by he would move it and scare them. HAHAHAHA it was HILARIOUS! He had a bucket out for tips...I have never seen an act like that from a bum. We sat and watched him scare people for a while.

At Fisherman's Wharf we bought some fresh crab from a stand and ate it right there...it was very awesome!

Then we walked over to Pier 39 and Tysen decided that he really wanted to try the bungee jumper ride. We waited in line for a good hour and it was finally his turn. But, when he couldn't have Daddy come with him, he did not want anything to do with it. So, we got our money back and decided to get back to the trolley to ride back to our hotel.

While we waited for the Trolley there was a man playing the guitar and singing songs with a bucket out for tips. Tysen was in love with this. He loves music and guitars, especially when he gets to watch someone play one. He went to his bucket and gave him a tip and the guy started playing "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Old McDonald" and "ABC's". Tysen FREAKED! He was dancing and singing. Everyone in line, waiting for the trolley, were taking pictures and video of Tysen because he was so funny!

No matter what we are doing or where we are, Tysen seems to get an incredible amount of attention. Such a HAM!

This trip was really one of my favorites. It was like we took three vacations...one after the next. It seemed to make it last longer. I think Big Sur will be our camp spot! I couldn't imagine going anywhere else! The best part was having my family with me and making new memories!

2010 Family Vacation (Part 2)

Monterey is were we lived it up! It was the part of our vacation that we experienced the luxury. It was so nice to get down and dirty when we were camping ....but, it was sooooo nice to come to Monterey and get cleaned up!

We went to the aquarium. It was a huge aquarium with lots of neat fish. Tysen loved the touch pools. He was scared at first but after one of the workers started talking to him and helping him he was all about touching the sea creatures. He thrives off of being social. He will do anything if someone does it with him :-)

Bubba Gump Shrimp company was just outside our hotel. They had the bus stop and Forrest Gump's shoes for people to take pictures in front of. Dan was so funny trying to pose like Forrest. He makes me laugh all the time (funny guy).

I had to see at least one lighthouse before we went home. We went to see one of the oldest working lighthouses. I loved it.

When I say that we lived it up, I am talking about our suite that we had. The hotel was fabulous! 1 bedroom, two bathrooms, balcony, windows facing the Bay, two fireplaces. I fell in LOVE right away. My favorite was opening the windows in our room at night and seeing the squid boats on the bay with their lights on and hearing the seals bark.

Then in the afternoon when we would lay down together to rest it was so nice to have the windows open and listening to the sounds of the Bay and the Birds! It was so relaxing that every time we had the windows open and laid down with Jayden, he fell right asleep.

Tysen enjoyed the binoculars that were there for us to use in the room.

2010 Family Vacation (Part 1)

For our 2010 Family Vacation we decided to drive up the coast. Our first stop was Big Sur. We camped for 3 nights. It was our fist time camping as a family and I have to say that it might have been my favorite vacation with the kids yet. Big Sur is the most beautiful camping area. One minute your enjoying the redwoods and loving the smell of pine and campfire..the next minute you are sitting on a beach that sits right outside of the redwood tree. It is the best of both worlds.

We decided to drive the scenic route to get to Big Sur. We made a few pit stops to enjoy the coast. It was so exciting to have the coast right next to us as we drove. I couldn't get enough. We stopped at seal beach and saw at least 50 seals (if not more) laying out on the beach. Some coming in from the tide and some going out. It is weird how they just took over that beach.

While in big sur we hiked up to see Pfieffer Falls. It is a small little waterfall (compared to Hawaii) but the scenery that we were able to enjoy while we hiked ....we were drinking it up!!
Our camp ground was perfect. Very spacious and it felt like we were deep in the Forrest (not to mention the hot showers that were 2 seconds away).
Tysen had fun collecting sticks and talking walks with us. Jayden just LOVED being outside. He was no problem as long as we were hanging outside. The boys were so good...and everything was so peaceful!

And...the BEACH....OH the Beach!

The pictures speak for themselves. There was hardly anyone there. I felt like we were the only ones.
Tysen absolutely loves the beach. He loves the water and he loves running after it and running away. He did not want to leave. Jayden just chilled in his nifty little backpack the whole time. Seriously, can you really have enough beach/husband and son pictures. My Family looks even cuter (if that is possible) on the beach.

Ashley ..."Sister Whitman"

My Beautiful sister is going to be turning in her papers to receive her mission call. We took some fun shots of her and thought that we might get a mission plaque picture in the process. She is gorgeous isn't she. The boys will be lined up waiting for her when she gets home :-)

Brooklyn

This is the sweetest boy! He was a little serious in the beginning but after a while of play he warmed up and we got some great smiles from him. His Mommy is one of my old friends from my days working at "Richies Diner". It was so great to catch up and see her little one all grown up into a toddler.

Don't Be Deceived

He may look very cute and cuddly but he knows exactly what he does.

This is Jayden after I tried to put a bite of cereal in his mouth (yes, after only ONE bite, he looked like this)

I have tried everything...the kid does not like cereal. I did sugar. I did bottle. I did lots of sugar.

He refuses to eat it.

He purses his lips and does a sour face like I just gave him a lemon.

When he sees the spoon coming his way he starts flipping his hands around and covers his face while putting it face down on his tray. So that I have NO chance of touching the spoon to his mouth. After this big fight he put up...he looks like this! (refer to above picture)

He won't eat cereal but he will eat 12 oz of milk within a 4 hour time period..and not spit up!

CRAZY BABY!

On another note:

Jayden is now 6 months and is doing great!

We are so blessed by the health of our children. I am so excited when I can say that we are all healthy and doing well.

(Even though, the medical bills have made Daniel and I a lotta sick in head)

Jayden is a very strong willed, stubborn boy.

When he want to eat, he will let you know....SERIOUS!

He is very wiggly (as predicted from being in my tummy)

and he is very very strong.

He was rolling over at 4 months and is now putting his knees under himself and getting to an almost crawling position. He can pretty much get anywhere he wants through other means of transportation that he has figured out.

He eats more than any other baby in history!

I can not keep up with him.

But, yet he is small, which could only mean that he is so wiggly he is burning off all the calories as fast as he takes them in. (I totally buy that)

Six months is a very fun age for Jay. He is much happier (maybe because I give him all the food he wants...which is an insane amount).

He sits up and plays with toys and I love to see the boys playing together...my favorite!

Tysen tries to console Jayden by playing his "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on his guitar and them saying, "It's ok Jay, Tysens' here." (when Mommy is obviously taking to long to pick him up)

We will see Jay's Cardiologist in another month and we will have an update on Jay's heart.

Tysen is do for scans soon as well...hopefully all is well.

We had our Family Home Evening and we went to the park as part of our activity. It was super fun and I was able to do my favorite thing besides hang out with my family...Take Pictures!

And some cute ones at that!

Ty loves FHE so much. He always conducts and get up front and tells us who is going to lead the song and say the prayer (he usually picks himself).

I love to see him enjoying learning about the gospel. I can't believe the information that boy retains. FHE is so much funner with a funny two year old around.

THE WIGGLES CONCERT ON THURSDAY!

Ever since we bought the tickets in JUNE, we were telling Tysen that we were going to see a Wiggles concert, just like they showed on T.V.

He didn't get it at first; but, as the week of the concert rolled around and I made him a Wiggles shirt (iron on) and we started X-ing off the days on the calendar, he got more and more excited. Every night before bed we would mark another day off and he would say "When you wake up, you get to see the wiggles on THURSDAY!"

It really was the cutest thing ever to see him get so excited about something.

The day finally came and I think it really sunk in for him when I finally put his precious wiggles shirt on (it had been hanging up, eye level, to taunt him all week)

we drove all the way to San Diego to see the Wiggles.

We got there just in time (thanks to Dan's crazy, "we're gunna be late" driving) and got in our seats

(3 rows back from the stage!!!)

There was some music and talking at first from a "no name" guy that Tysen was not impressed by. He waited patiently and looked as though he knew something better was going to happen.

FINALLY!

There they were! One by one and called out by name over the load speaker!

JEFF! ANTHONY!

at this point Tysen was laughing, pointing and looking quite overwhelmed to see them coming out

(it was all too exciting)

MURRAY! (Murray is his favorite!)

Tysen's Laughter turned into TEARS!

He was a crazed fan!

& SAM!

(he is not so sure how he feels about Sam, being a replacement of Greg and all)

Crying returned to laughter and excitement.

(Insert classic video of Tysen crying/laughing here)

...and at this point Dan and I were rolling in our chairs holding our bellies...it was a very classic moment for us.

They got on with the show

Tysen calmed down

Mommy sang all the songs.

These wiggles sure know how to keep you entertained. It was such a cool concert, I have to say. We were right up front with all the action!

They surprised everybody by coming out in the audience to greet people.
What nice Wiggles they are!

It was fun to see them come out into the audience but I swear each one of the Wiggles almost tripped over Tysen!
Tysen wanted to see Murray the most..Murray came right up and said hello!
(after that, I was sold on the Wiggles..I am considering becoming a Wiggles groupie)

They sang all the songs that were anticipated and danced the moves to go along.

Then they said good bye :-(

We will never forget you Wiggles concert...

Really, a Top Dollar Show!

The only problem is, Tysen thinks we are going every Thursday

Beach

I can't believe this is the first time we got to the beach this summer and summer is nearly OVER!
I guess the point is, we got to the beach as least once this summer.
This was Jayden's first beach day....we got his first "feet in the sand" picture.

We decided late that we wanted to head down to the beach. We left the house by 11:30
Drove to Oceanside behind very slow trucks.

Got to Oceanside hungry. So we walked down the 10 mile long pier and ate a Ruby's (who had run out of ice cream)
Then by 3:30 (don't ask me how the time passed so fast) we made it to the sand and set up to stay for the rest of the day.

Even though it was a late start, we were all very laid back and were in no rush. It felt good to have no real plans and to just go with the flow. We were hoping to get a fire pit (who were we kidding) they were completely taken up by end of summer high school hooligans (which is fine because it turned out that the kids did not last that long anyways)



We got in the freezing water.
Built a sand castle.
Found Sand Crabs.
Tysen ate sand.
We buried Tysen in the sand.

Mission "beach day" accomplished!

Wild Rivers

Have you ever just thought "something's gotta give"?

I was just getting the feeling that we were doing too much; we were all high strung and needed a brake.

Wild Rivers was our "Quick Fix".

We reserved a private cabana to chill out in when we got tired (it was sooo worth it!)

We left our stuff in the cabana while we explored the very fun water rides.

Ty's favorite was this big blue slide.

He would not get off the thing!

Our cabana was right next to the kiddie playground (so if Mamma had to stop and feed baby, Daddy could take Ty to play)

His second favorite place to play.

We also loved to lounge in the river pool. Just sitting in our tubes and floating (so nice)

until, Tysen decides to try to swim against the tide and starts floating away (not nice!)

Thus, the life jacket on him in the next photo.

Needless to say, it was exactly the care free day that we all needed.

Building With Daddy

We were walking out of Lowes and noticed that they were giving kids a building project. So, we grabbed one, gave Ty a hammer (took away the hammer) and got to work.


That face has trouble written all over it...(doesn't help that we gave him a hammer to go along with his mischievous face)

Tysen hammering away. Daddy got scared a few times by the way Tysen would swing his arm all the way back and just start pounding on the wood as fast as he could. It was very finny to watch though.

All done! We made a ball catcher game thingy.

First Fourth, Third Fourth

This year is Jay's First 4th and it is Ty's third 4th of July. Grandma Whitman came down from Utah to join us in celebration and to meet Jayden. We had a blast having so much family in town. Since the 4th was Sunday we did most everything on Saturday the 3rd...but we called it the 4th :-)
We walked to the ward breakfast. They had funnel cake...sooo good! I really really love our ward so it was really awesome to just mingle and have a few laughs with some awesome people. Then we had EVERYONE over for swimming and BBQ. (no pictures because everything was at my house so I was a little busy.)
Finally, when it got dark, we went to see the fireworks at Pachanga Casino (which were not great...Tysen was out cold anyway). We got our firework fix though and felt no need to see more.

On Sunday (the real 4th) We had some more family come over to make patriotic sugar cookies and have taco soup. We opted for watching fireworks on t.v. (which were much better than the ones we saw in person...the base from the t.v. was better than what we got at the live ones). It was actually a nice and relaxing day.

First BIG RIDE!

We went to Knott's while my sister was down and I took Ty on the Log Ride! His very first big ride! Poor guy didn't know what he was in for when I told him we were going on the BIG ride. He just assumes bigger means better. He was all for it and ready to go with Mommy on the ride. I told him before we dropped that I was going to put his hands up and he said "ok!"...so I did! When I saw his face in the picture I was laughing so hard but I felt so bad for putting his hands up. He didn't scream (He was probably in too much shock) and when we were done he enthusiastically put his hands up and said "I DID IT". Then after the ride I asked him if he wanted to ride it again and he said "ya!" and I asked him what he was thinking about and he said "I'm thinking about I was berry scarred on the log ride" (yes, he really speaks in full sentences like that). But, he went on it two more times and loved it!